Scott Phelan tried to take positives from the game but could not hide his frustration over a costly poor start
Scott Phelan, interim manager of Everton Women, speaks to the media following the Barclays Women’s Super League match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park. Photo by Annabel Lee-Ellis – WSL/WSL Football via Getty Images
Scott Phelan believed his Everton players were “too polite” toward their Liverpool counterparts as they fell to defeat at Goodison Park.
The interim manager of Everton Women thought he sensed “fear” in his team – something that proved costly as a poor start left the Blues with too much to do to avoid a 3-2 loss in the Merseyside derby.
They did manage a fightback in the second half but after conceding three times in the opening 45 minutes, Phelan’s side was unable to steal a useful point.
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Liverpool started the match on the front foot and had the lead after 11 minutes after Ceri Holland sent Courtney Brosnan the wrong way from the spot.
The penalty, for handball by Inma Gabarro, had looked harsh but Everton had already needed the help of the post and a big block from Maz Pacheco to keep the Reds out.
There was still plenty to play for when Martina Fernandez’s own goal doubled the lead but Holland’s stunning solo goal on half-time left the Blues with too much to do.
Second-half goals from Aurora Galli and Zara Kramzar, who also struck the bar, were not enough to avoid defeat against a Liverpool side that had captain Grace Fisk sent off for two yellow cards midway through the second half.
After the game a disappointed Phelan explained what he could take from a determined second-half display – by pointing out some of his concerns about what went wrong before the break.
He said: “[I saw] A better level of commitment from the players, bravery in their approach. We thought we were going to get that from the first whistle, that wasn’t meant to be.
“We were far too polite and respectful, for whatever reason. There was a little bit of fear in our game, which I didn’t like.
“There was a positive response in the second half, which gives us some small hope in terms of moving forward. There were also some individual performances that stood out as well.
“So, yeah, disappointed, but there were some small wins in this second half.”