Everton women sealed a significant victory over Reading this afternoon at Walton Park, with Gabrielle George scoring a fabulous winning goal, keeping her side’s dreams of European Football next season alive.
Brian Sorensen’s side have struggled for consistency so far this season, winning 4 and losing 5 of their WSL games going into their fixture against Reading.
The visitors, however, had just hit a good run of form after struggling at the start of the season, winning 3 of their previous 4 fixtures before travelling to Merseyside.
Everton would take an early lead through Katja Snoeijs just 9 minutes into the game. The Dutch striker has now scored in two consecutive games for the toffees despite not scoring in any of her previous WSL games since signing from Bordeaux.
The in-form Jess Park would quickly double her side’s lead just after the half-hour mark. After collecting the ball on the halfway line, she would put in a strong run to the edge of the Reading penalty area before playing a 1-2 with Sorensen and slotting in the bottom corner.
Reading would pull one back on the hour mark, with Justine Vanhaevermaet giving her side a foot back in the game.
However, their comeback would be short-lived, with Gabrielle George picking up the ball in midfield, driving at Deanne Cooper in defence before unleashing a rocket of a shot into the top corner.
Belter.pic.twitter.com/AV9Q8FtC57
— Everton Women (@EvertonWomen) January 15, 2023
Dianna Cooper would head past Ramsey in the Everton goal to give the blues a nerve-racking end to the game.
However, they would manage to keep out the Reading fight-back in the later stages, securing all 3 points at Walton Park.
Thanks to this important victory, Everton only sit 3 places off the Champions League qualification places.