Everton ruined Merseyside rivals Liverpool’s day at Anfield and picked up their first win of the Women’s Super League season.
Defender Megan Finnigan gave Everton an early lead when she sent a header past goalkeeper Rachael Laws.
The Blues were dominant and made it 2-0 when Jess Park coolly shifted the ball onto her left foot and slid it into the corner, before substitute Hanna Bennison scored a third late on to add salt to Liverpool’s wounds.
The derby was played out in front of 27,574, a record crowd for a WSL game at Anfield.
Everton were deserving winners in this fierce derby as Liverpool struggled to make an impact and could not build on their stunning opening-weekend victory over defending champions Chelsea.
The hosts were pinned back for most of the first half and though they improved after the break, they rarely tested goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan.
Striker Katie Stengel and midfielder Ceri Holland missed big chances for Liverpool in the first half but Everton could also have extended their lead when Katja Snoeijs poked wide from close range.
Blues defender Gabby George also headed a corner over the bar in the opening six minutes at Anfield, while Finnigan stung the fingers of Laws with a long-range strike shortly before breaking the deadlock.
It was Everton’s first victory under new manager Brian Sorensen and the sold-out away section of the crowd celebrated wildly at full-time.
But the majority of the fans in attendance left with a familiar feeling of frustration as Everton claimed all three points in the derby for the second time at Anfield.
The 27,574 in attendance beat the previous record set in the last meeting in 2019 when 23,500 watched Everton win 1-0.
The game was marred by three incidents of pitch invasions from several members of the crowd with the players throwing their arms up in frustration.