Well as frenetic as the summer had been for Brighton, it didn’t match the energy with which they started this game. After just 3 minutes Katie Robinson slammed a long-range effort off the bar which may have actually been a great save by Emily Ramsey. The ball went almost straight up in the air and when it returned from orbit Elisabeth Terland was there to meet it with a smart header into the bottom corner of the net. The intensity didn’t stop there though as Brighton looked to capitalise on their opponent’s nervy defending and score another. Within 14 minutes they had it. Robinson cut in from the right, weaving between several Everton players before slipping a ball through to Terland who duly tucked it past the onrushing Ramsey. Offside appeals went unrequited.

It was natural for the team to play deeper with a two goal lead and for the remainder of the first half both sides fell into a cagey back and forth battle. Pauline Bremer had a good chance to add to the visitors lead just before the break, but it was well blocked by Elise Stenevik.

Everton came out a different team in the second half. They pressed high and it became almost impossible for Brighton to keep possession and move the ball up the pitch. Eventually the dam burst and Megan Finnegan was allowed far too much time from a corner to control the ball in space and drive a smart finish past Sophie Baggaley. From there it was scrappy from both sides, Brighton could have perhaps deflated the pressure by retaining the ball and countering with more intent, whereas Everton just seemed to lack quality in the final third. Some well-timed substitutions from Mel Phillips seemed to inject some much needed energy into the Albion though and they even had one or two half chances to score a third. Time kept ticking though and the relief was palpable when the referee finally put the whistle to her lips and blew. Brighton prevail and for now, that’s all we need to do. As the great American Football owner Al Davis once said ‘Just win baby!’

Notes

• The intensity that Brighton started with may have been unsustainable, but damn it worked like a charm. Can they play like that for longer periods going forward?
• Robinson looked dangerous in the first half, but the team found it difficult to get the ball to her in the second.
• Some of the passing during the middle phase of the game was inaccurate, exposing the defence and allowing opportunities that a better team will finish off. Hopefully an issue that will be rectified by more time on the pitch together.
• Allowing an opponent to control the ball and finish it from a corner is worrying. With the height and physical presence of our defence it needs to be better.
• Vicky Losada, Pauline Bremer, Maria Thorisdottir and Sophie Baggaley all performed with composure and quality as advertised. Excited to see what they can bring to the table this season.
• Of the substitutes that came on I was incredibly impressed with Charlie Rule. She has maybe a raw edge to her play, but the way she was carrying the ball and finding her teammates provided a hint of what could be to come from the exciting Aussie.
• On the Everton side, Lucy Hope was lucky to stay on the pitch after she punched a corner flag which then hit a Brighton player. If we had VAR in the WSL she likely would have got her marching orders.