Everton FC Women came from behind to edge Birmingham Women 2-1 at Walton Hall Park on Sunday evening, grinding out a hard-fought three points in the FA Women's Super League. After conceding early, the Toffees responded with patience and then quality, scoring either side of the interval to turn the match around.

It was a victory built on persistence rather than domination, and it underlined Everton's growing ability to win tight games when the performance is not at its fluent best.

Match overview

Birmingham started the brighter of the two sides, pressing aggressively and disrupting Everton's attempts to play out from the back. Their reward arrived inside the opening 20 minutes, when a quick move down the left ended with a composed finish past the goalkeeper. Everton took time to settle, but as the first half wore on, they began to find pockets of space between Birmingham's midfield and defence.

The equaliser arrived shortly before half-time, and from that point the momentum shifted decisively. Everton controlled the second half, creating the clearer chances and eventually finding the winner with just over 15 minutes remaining. Birmingham pushed for a late leveller but could not find a way through a resolute home defence.

Key moments

• 18 minutes — Leanne Prescott gave Birmingham the lead, finishing a sweeping move with a low strike.
• 43 minutes — Aoife Kennedy levelled for Everton, arriving at the back post to convert a deep cross.
• 57 minutes — Everton had a strong penalty appeal turned away after a challenge inside the box.
• 74 minutes — Maisie Corbyn scored what proved to be the winner, firing home from the edge of the area after a neat lay-off.
• 90+3 minutes — Birmingham's final chance was headed off the line as Everton held firm.

Tactical story

Everton's comeback was built on a subtle second-half change. By pushing their wingers higher and narrower, they pinned Birmingham's full-backs deeper and created space for the central midfielders to receive on the half-turn. That adjustment turned slow possession into genuine attacking momentum.

Birmingham's plan was clear and effective for the first half-hour: press hard, force Everton long, and attack the second ball. But as their pressing intensity dropped, so did their control of the game. The visitors defended their box well in the closing stages but struggled to create anything meaningful in transition once Everton took the lead.

Standout players

Maisie Corbyn's winner was the moment of the match, capping a performance full of intelligent movement and clean link-up play. Aoife Kennedy's equaliser was the turning point, and Everton's captain organised the back line impressively after a shaky opening spell. Leanne Prescott was Birmingham's best player, taking her goal well and driving her team forward throughout.

What it means for the table

The win keeps Everton moving in the right direction in the WSL standings and maintains their strong home form, a foundation that could prove crucial as the season progresses. Birmingham leave with nothing but can take encouragement from a first-half display that troubled a well-organised opponent for long periods.