Everton guaranteed themselves a top-six Women's Super League finish with a 2-1 victory over Brighton at Walton Hall Park in the penultimate game of the season.
The Blues went into Sunday's clash off the back of consecutive defeats to Chelsea and Arsenal, with Lucy Hope for the suspended Aggie Beever-Jones the only change from Wednesday night's disappointing encounter with the Gunners.
And it was the hosts that fashioned the first real opening of the game; Nicoline Sorensen rippling the side netting with a powerful strike after a driving run down the right flank. Brighton responded well to the early scare, with former Everton left-back Poppy Pattinson diverting Veatriki Sarri's excellent cross straight into the gloves of Emily Ramsey.
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But it was Everton who opened the scoring minutes later, with Katja Snoeijs drilling home her fifth goal in as many games after a sublime ball over the top from Karen Holmgaard. The Blues enjoyed the lions share of possession as they sought to double their advantage but Brighton struck back on the stroke of half time through Katie Robinson.
The highly-rated England winger did well to control Julia Olme's lofted through ball and outfoxed the stranded Emily Ramsey with an exquisite chipped effort to restore parity heading into the break.
Everton's first chance of the second half fell to Sara Holmgaard, whose stabbed effort towards goal was smothered by the stretching Megan Walsh.
The Blues relentlessly probed Brighton's back line as they looked to get their noses back in front but the Seagulls stood firm and looked dangerous on the break, with Lee Geum-Min forcing Ramsey into a fine save to prevent the visitors from taking a late lead.
But Everton remained dogged in their pursuit of a winner, with Hanna Bennison's curling finish in the 91st minute making sure of the three points for Sorensen's side.
Here's how the players got on at Walton Hall Park...
Emily Ramsey - 6
A spectator for much of the first half, though was on hand to claim tame efforts from Poppy Pattinson and Katie Robinson. Caught stranded way off her line for Robinson's equaliser. Saved well from Lee Geum-Min late on.
Katrine Veje - 7
Looked to get forward and looks to be adjusting well to the wing-back role. Subbed.
Nathalie Bjorn - 6
Did well to snuff out a dangerous Brighton counter attack before the break. Grew into the game.
Clare Wheeler - 6
Eased off the ball on a couple of occassions but another solid display in the middle of the park for the Australian.
Hanna Bennison - 7
Unable to really work her magic for large spells although frequently showed her willingness to lead Everton's press. Showed her quality with a sublime late winner.
Nicoline Sorensen - 8
Skimmed the side netting with an early chance and forced a fine save out of Megan Walsh in the first half. Everton's best attacking outlet after the break. Didn't stop running.
Lucy Hope - 8
Set the tempo with a series of lung-bursting runs down the left flank and thwarted some early Brighton attacks with vital interceptions. Some quality deliveries into the box in the second half.
Aurora Galli - 6
Excited the crowd with a driving run before playing in Katja Snoeijs in the first half. Not afraid to get stuck in defensively. Subbed.
Sara Holmgaard - 7
Full of energy and eager to get Everton on the front foot. Beginning to acclimatise to life in the WSL. Subbed.
Katja Snoeijs - 8
Continued her rich vein of goalscoring form, finishing brilliantly to get Everton off the mark.
Karen Holmgaard - 7
Nearly played Everton into trouble with a loose pass early on but recovered well and assisted Snoeijs for the opener with a lovely ball over the top. Subbed.
Substitutes:
Elise Stenevik - 7
Some excellent deliveries into the box. Injected plenty of energy for the Blues.
Megan Finnigan - 7
Headed over from a corner shortly after her introduction.
Rikke Sevecke - 7
Helped shore-up Everton's back line.
Izzy Christiansen - 6
A solid cameo from the midfielder.
Leonie Maier
A brief final appearance for Everton at Walton Hall Park before her summer departure.
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