Everton vs Leicester City live: score and latest updates from WSL
Hanna Bennison's free-kick deflected off goalkeeper Kirstie Levell and in to the goal to hand Everton a 1-0 victory over Leicester in added time at the end of the Women's Super League contest at Walton Hall Park.
Levell's late intervention from the Swedish substitute's cross decided a cagey contest in front of a sold-out crowd and left the visitors still seeking their first point of the campaign.
Neither side was able to create any real chances in the opening exchanges as Leicester's back line responded well to the hosts' high press.
Leicester had their first opportunity when Molly Pike looked to chip Emily Ramsey but her effort instead landed in the hands of the home side's keeper.
Everton's first chance came midway through the second half when Nathalie Bjorn slipped the ball to Katja Snoeijs but her effort was well-blocked by Levell.
Izzy Christiansen then tried to pick out Snoeijs but the Dutch international was not there to finish, and Christiansen could only watch her cross sail across the face of goal.
Lucy Graham could only muster a half-chance from the edge of the area, pivoting before firing wide from her less-preferred left foot as the visitors fended off a sustained period of attack.
And at the other end, Megan Finnigan easily cleared a Jemma Purfield delivery into the box to send the sides goalless into the break.
A chance at the restart saw Josie Green's effort blocked, and Brian Sorensen survived a scare when Ramsey, on her competitive debut, collided with Sam Tierney but was able to continue after an injury scare that required attention.
The visitors won a free-kick and Purfield aimed straight at goal but saw her effort parried away by Ramsey.
Gabby George tried to get things going for the hosts, whose low effort from a tight angle was stopped by Levell.
Substitutes for both sides missed opportunities in quick succession, with Natasha Flint unable to connect with a cross to head in for the Foxes before debutant Karen Holmgaard fired a sharp attempt at Ramsey.
Bennison nearly broke the deadlock on 69 minutes, deftly dodging her marker before curling an effort wide of the right post.
It was the beginning of a period of pressure from the hosts, with Gio Queiroz driving down the right and into the area but failing to get a good angle on her low, right-footed effort.
With few chances for either side as the match drew to a close, Everton floated in a corner but Levell got a glove on it and batted away any chance of an opener.
Finally, as the clock ticked into the fourth minute of stoppage time, Bennison broke the deadlock with an inswinging free-kick that found the top corner via the unfortunate Levell.
Everton 1 Leicester City 0: As it happened
08:30 PM
FT: Everton 1 Leicester City 0
What an incredible finish at a sold out Walton Hall Park.
Leicester are the only team yet to take a point in the WSL from a losing position, losing all 19 of the games they have fallen behind in.
Conceding within seconds of the final whistles will only add to another unfortunate statistic.
08:28 PM
90+4 min: GOAAAAALLLLL
Everton 1 Leicester City 0
Kirstie Levell own goal
Hanna Bennison swings in a beautiful delivery from the left which arcs in towards the visitors goal.
The ball looks to be drifting slightly wide but as Levell attempts to palm it off, she succeeds in tipping the ball into her own net.
08:26 PM
90+3: Everton 0 Leicester City 1
Everton have won a free-kick on the left.
This is surely one last throw of the dice.
08:25 PM
90+2 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 1
It's a corner to Everton and it comes from the right into the box. The hosts have their arms up appealing for another penalty.
08:22 PM
90 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
Three minutes added here at Walton Hall Park and it's all Everton.
08:20 PM
88 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
Leicester City's keeper Kirstie Levell didn't look too comfortable clearing that looping corner but she just about palms it clear.
08:17 PM
85 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
Maier has replaced Veje as Everton's final change of the game.
08:16 PM
82 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
Another corner to the hosts but Everton head it clear
Now, the hosts are on the counter.
08:13 PM
80 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
The hosts have been far the more fluent side but you sense that Leicester are starting to feel they could quietly nick this as we approach the final ten minutes at Walton Hall Park.
08:11 PM
78 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
Missy Goodwin is able to get down the left for Leicester but she can't get a shot off as Megan Finnigan is over to snuff out the potential danger.
Who is going to break this deadlock?
08:09 PM
76 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
Everton's four substitutes seem to have given the visitors a new spark here, they're keeping possession well and really starting to finally threaten in the final third.
08:07 PM
74 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
Everton are just gathering some momentum here again, as Leicester are really struggling to get hold of the ball.
It is another double change for the hosts and a home debut for Brazil winger Giovana and Norweigan left-back Elise Stenevik.
Gabby George and Jess Park mar way.
08:03 PM
71 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
That was close.
Hanna Bennison cuts onto her right foot and tries a curler from 25 years but it just misses the top right corner.
07:59 PM
69 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
Everton boss Brian Sorensen is yelling out instructions from the technical area. He clearly wants to see more from his side with nearly 20 minutes left at Walton Hall Park.
07:56 PM
66 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
The fans are Walton Hall Park are now singing "the referee's a kopite."
It's fair to say they're not happy with a few of Cheryl Foster's decisions tonight.
07:55 PM
65 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
Holmgaard is almost making an immediate impact on this game, as she runs through the middle and sends a low drive which is forces a solid stop from Levell.
07:53 PM
63 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
Everton's Christiansen and Galli are replaced by Bennison and Holmgaard f
07:52 PM
60 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
Jemma Purfield is going to have a go from here, she whips it over the Everton wall but keeper Emily Ramsey is across to save at the right-hand post.
07:51 PM
58 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
That is brilliant paly from Erin Simon, as she strides forward and wins a free-kick from Gabby George.
Definitely in shooting range
07:47 PM
55 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
Leicester blink first and make the first change of the evening as the visitors introduce forward Natasha Flint in the place of on-loan Manchester United midfielder Carrie Jones.
07:45 PM
51 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
Yet again, another ball flashed past the Leicester goal; this time from the right wing.
The hosts can't quite find the right delivery.
07:39 PM
48 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
A positive start from the hosts as Everton's Izzy Christiansen flicks a ball over the top but the visitors defender Sam Tierney holds off Snoejis to clear Leicester's line.
07:38 PM
46 min: Everton 0 Leicester 0
Here we go again.
You suspect that Brian Sorenson has told his side to turn up the tempo especially in the final third.
However, for the visitors it's very much the same as before.
07:36 PM
Finnigan hits milestone
It is a special night for Everton's Megan Finnigan who makes her 150th appearance this evening.
The 24-year old started out at the club as a nine-year-old and has come through the ranks.
She is operating in defence for Brian Sorensen's side against Leicester tonight.
07:30 PM
The first half in pictures
07:26 PM
HT: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
After a lively opening, it has been an underwhelming first half at Walton Hall Park/
Neither side have been able to capitalise on their opportunities.
Leicester are without a victory in their last nine games in the WSL. But on the other hand Everton have only won one of their last nine home matches in the league.
So, right now it's very much played out as expected..
07:22 PM
45+1 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
One minute of added time as the first half draws to a close.
Jemma Purfield launches a ball into the hosts box from the right-hand side but Everton defender Megan Finnigan clears.
07:22 PM
45 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
Everton fans at Walton Hall Park are not best pleased with the referee as they think a lot of decisions are going against the hosts.
Shortly after that, Lucy Graham becomes the first player booked this evening.
07:18 PM
43 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
The visitors are starting to get up the pitch a little more and put Everton under pressure. However, both sides are really struggling to find that quality in the final third.
07:14 PM
41 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
It's really good play from the hosts but sadly nobody is there to finish it off.
Natalie Bjorn again slips in another great pas however this time to Izzy Christiansen who is down the left-hand side.
But Katya Snoeijs can't read her centre and ball zips across the face of goal.
07:12 PM
38 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
Bjorn plays another great pass through to Christansen but her cross is not too far in front of the Dutch striker.
07:08 PM
35 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
Now it's Leicester City's time to stride forward, as Shannon O'Brien has a pop from 25 years for the visitors. However, it was another comfortable save for Everton keeper Emily Ramsey.
07:06 PM
31 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
That was a brilliant ball through to Bjorn to Snoeijs before her shot was saved- but the hosts striker would have been pulled up by the referee for a foul shortly before her strike anyway.
07:02 PM
29 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
So far, it has been a scrappy half from both sides. Everton have dominated possession but Leicester have been resolute and organised thus far at Walton Hall Park and their high press has been very strong.
07:00 PM
25 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
Leicester are growing into the game now and the majority of the last five minutes at Walton Hall Park has been played in their opponents half. However, the game is still waiting for a little spark of life from somewhere.
06:58 PM
21 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
It's great play from Izzy Christiansen who is darting forward at any given opportunity for Everton. The former Manchester City player can't quite get on the Snoeij's flick on but she has already been involved in much of the hosts attacking play.
06:56 PM
17 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
That was a clear sight of goal for Leicester as Molly Pike lets a shot go from 25 yards or so out of the left. But, Everton goalkeeper Emily Ramsey is able to calmly collect.
06:52 PM
15 min: Everton O Leicester City 0
It's been a bright start for Veje once more this evening, she is really getting forward well from the left-centre back position and the visitors haven' picked her up in these opening fifteen minutes.
06:50 PM
12 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
That is some excellent play from Snoeijs as she gets Park some space down the right flank for the first time but the visitors do well to cover her cross.
06:48 PM
10 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
Everton, just like Anfield on Sunday, are trying to keep hold of possession are much as possible in these early exchanges.
The hosts aren't rushing it but are building steadily.
06:44 PM
8 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
Kevin Thewell, Everton's director of football is apparently in attendance tonight alongside academy director Gareth Prosser and club director Graeme Sharp.
So the hosts will have quite a few Evertonians in fine voice at Walton Hall Park.
06:38 PM
5 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
The hosts are really pressing high and are zipping the ball right to Jess Park, who has already had a few runs down the right wing.
06:35 PM
2 min: Everton 0 Leicester City 0
The visitors do well to keep the ball under pressure from Everton, who are being urged by their manager Brian Sorenson to press high.
Izzy Christiansen's chasing forces it all the way back to the Leicester City's keeper
06:32 PM
Kick-off
We're underway at Walton Hall Park
06:30 PM
Everton manager Brian Sorensen speaks
On Toni Duggan..
He "is so happy" for Toni Duggan after she announced her pregnancy and that the club will do everything they can to support her.
"It’s amazing. I have a little daughter who is three years old and that is something you can’t describe in words how amazing it is.
“Toni is a really experienced player so will still be around and for as long as she can, she will be in the dressing room to help. She was at Anfield talking to the younger players and things. We have enough players offensively to deal with it I think but of course we will miss her experience but she is in the background now helping which is good.”
"I am so happy for Toni and we as a club will do everything we can to support her and help her.
06:29 PM
The players stream out of the tunnel..
And the fans raise the proverbial roof on an expecting record crowd at a sold out Walton Hall Park.
Z Cars rings out across the ground.
Only a few minutes to go until kick-off.
06:25 PM
The warm up are underway..
06:21 PM
Kick off is at 6.30pm
Everton and Leicester City fans this is your 10 minute warning
06:14 PM
And Leicester City's starting XI
Levell (GK), Tierney, Pike, Whelan (C), Simon, Green, Howard, C. Jones, Plumptre, Purfield, O'Brien
Subs: Poor, Vance, Bott, Flint, E.Jones, Goodwin, Robinson, Scofield
Lydia Brentford has named the same side who lost to Aston Villa on Sunday.
Former Everton players Molly Pike and Kirsty Levell are among those in the starting XI.
06:09 PM
How Everton will line up this evening
Ramsay (GK), Veje, Sevecke, Bjorn, George, Christiansen (C), Park, Graham, Finnigan, Galli, Snoeijs
Subs: Brosan (GK) Bennison, Gio, Maier, Weir, Stenevik, K.Holmgaard
Brian Sorensen had made just one change to the Everton side who beat Merseyside rivals Liverpool at Anfield.
Goalkeeper Emily Ramsary, on loan from Manchester United, comes in for her debut.
05:46 PM
Evening all...
After beating their local rivals Liverpool at the weekend, Everton will look to claim consecutive victories when they face Leicester City this evening.
The visitors, meanwhile, are still searching for their first win of the season after losing their opening two Women's Super League games.
They began their season with 1-0 defeat to West Ham United, Everton made the short trip to Anfield with the objective of claiming the bragging rights over their local rivals.
Facing a Liverpool side that previously beat current champions Chelsea 2-1 on the opening weekend. Everton may have been cautious about their chances of victory.
Any concerns were quickly dissipated when Megan Finnigan gave Everton the lead within nine minutes, while Jess Park demonstrated composure and quality to double her side's advantage before half time.
An 87th minute striker from Hanna Bennison added further gloss to the scoreline as Everton thrashed their Merseyside rivals 3-0 to clinch their first win of the season.
Having beaten Leicester City in both of their previous two WSL meetings. Everton will be confident of claiming a second straight victory of Thursday.
Meanwhile, their opponents are one of the three WSL teams still without a point this season after losing their opening two matches.
Leicester City lost 2-1 to Spurs on the opening weekend and hopes of claiming a positive result in Sunday's meeting with Aston Villa were dealt a huge blow when Rachel Daly scored from the spot in the third minute.
Despite keeping the deficit at one for the majority of the match, Leicester were unable to find the elusive equaliser before Emily Gielnik wrapped up a 2-0 victory for Aston Villa with an 86th minute effort.
Leicester City may have narrowly the drop by two points last season, but consecutive defats suggest another regulation battle could be in store this season.
If they are to move away from danger then they need to quickly end a nine match winless run in the WSL, which included eight defeats.
Kick-off is at 6.30pm, and ahead of this, we'll be bringing you team news and live updates, and all the latest reaction post-match too.
