Everton were on the receiving end of an FA Cup upset on Sunday as Jade Pennock's second half strike was enough to seal victory for Birmingham City at Walton Hall Park.
The Blues went into Sunday's clash looking to continue their scintillating recent form, with manager Brian Sorensen vowing ahead of the game that his squad would do their "very best" to replicate their impressive 2020 cup run that saw them make it all the way to the final. The Dane made four changes from the side that beat West Ham 3-0 last time out, with striker Aggie Beever-Jones coming in for Katja Snoeijs and Courtney Brosnan replacing Emily Ramsey in goal.
Birmingham City, meanwhile, travelled to Merseyside hoping to bounce back from last weekend's league defeat to Sunderland, with Darren Carter's side currently sitting fifth in the Women's Championship having suffered relegation from the WSL last term. However, with Birmingham having notched an emphatic victory over Huddersfield in the last round, Sunday's clash promised to be a challenging encounter for Sorensen's side.
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And the visitors made a bright start to the contest, with January signing Claudia Walker taking on Lucy Hope down the left before cutting inside and firing a powerful effort at Brosnan in the Everton goal. It was Beever-Jones who looked most likely to find a way through for Everton; the 19-year-old setting away Park with a lovely through ball before seeing her own shot well-saved by Lucy Thomas.
Beever-Jones came close again before the break, winning a free-kick just outside the box and forcing a fine stop from Thomas with her well-driven effort. And the teenager nearly opened the scoring early in the second half; her strike cannoning off the post from close range after some lovely work from Park inside the penalty area.
But it was Birmingham who broke the deadlock at Walton Hall Park, Jade Pennock finding herself in acres of space in the Everton box and coolly slotting the ball into the bottom corner to give the visitors the lead. Everton battled to find a late equaliser but it wasn't to be for the Blues who now have a week to recover before their WSL clash with Manchester United at Leigh Sports Village.
Here's how the players got on at Walton Hall Park...
Courtney Brosnan - 6
Made a comfortable early save from Walker but otherwise had little to do in the first half. Couldn't have done much for the goal
Gabby George - 6
Showed her versatility playing at centre-back and did a decent job although was caught in possession high up the pitch late on.
Hanna Bennison - 6
Great movement in the middle of the park but faded a little bit as the game went on.
Jess Park -7
As always a huge threat going forwards and not afraid to help out defensively. Saw a couple of efforts saved by Thomas.
Nicoline Sorensen - 7
Drove some dangerous low crosses into the box early on and a constant threat. Should have done better with a chance in the second half. Subbed.
Aggie Beever-Jones - 8
Probably her best display to date in an Everton shirt. Linked up really nicely with Park and Sorensen in the first half and saw a few decent efforts saved by Thomas. Hit the post after the break.
Lucy Hope - 6
Had the tough task of dealing with Walker but handled it well. Tried to push forward in the second half.
Megan Finnigan - 6
Dealt well with Walker early on and mopped up brilliantly at the back. Gave Pennock too much space for Birmingham's goal.
Aurora Galli - 6
Did a lot of the dirty work in midfield and almost set up Park in the second half. Subbed.
Sara Holmgaard - 6
Did a tidy job at wing-back before being subbed at the break.
Karen Holmgaard - 6
Looked to get forward early on but faded slightly. Subbe.
Substitutes:
Elise Stenevik - 7
Injected plenty of energy after her introduction and delivered a couple of decent balls into the box.
Clare Wheeler - 6
Fired an effort well over the bar late on.
Izzy Christiansen - 6
Tried to drive the side forwards after her late introduction.
Katja Snoeijs - 6
Worked hard but unable to carve out a clear cut chance.
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