Vignola nets debut hat-trick as Everton seal another Merseyside derby victory | OneFootball

Ornella Vignola enjoyed a dream debut as she scored a hat-trick in Everton’s 4-1 victory over neighbours Liverpool at Anfield this afternoon.

The opening day of the new Barclays Women’s Super League season threw up a Merseyside derby at Anfield. It turned out to be a memorable derby occasion for Everton once again as summer signing Vignola grabbed the headlines with a stunning treble for her side.

It was Liverpool who started the stronger of the two sides. Summer signing Sam Kerr beat Maz Pacheco out wide before whipping a ball across the box, but Honoka Hayashi was there to head it clear. Ceri Holland then managed to snake past Pacheco, but she was unable to find a teammate with her delivery into the area.

Liverpool opened the scoring in the 12th minute through Cornelia Kapocs. She managed to take full advantage of being left in space and sent a perfect strike into the net via the crossbar.

It could have been two for The Reds when Gemmer Bonner was left unmarked at the back post. She volleyed the ball towards Courtney Brosnan, who just got her fingertips to it to push it wide.

Midway through the first half, The Toffees got one back through new signing Vignola. She curled a fantastic effort into the far corner of the net, leaving the keeper with no chance.

Everton soon could have had a second, as captain Katja Snoeijs tried her luck from 25 yards out, but the ball was comfortably caught by Faye Kirby.

At the other end, Holland sent an effort just wide of the far post. The midfielder had been involved in almost every attempt at goal for the hosts. Gareth Taylor’s Reds were fighting hard for that second goal and it was Holland who was once again involved, but the ball was caught well by Brosnan.

Everton edged in-front just before the break through Snoeijs. Pacheco whipped the ball in perfectly for the Dutch attacker, who sent her header past Kirby.

The Toffees then doubled their lead just after the interval through Vignola. Pacheco was again the provider as she whipped the ball in for the Spanish youth international, who nodded it into the back of the net.

Vignola’s third goal of the game and Everton’s fourth came from her left boot, the ball nestling into the inside of the net.

It was a tough opening afternoon for Liverpool and their frustrations continued to grow as Sam Kerr sent the ball just wide when in a good position to score. That was as near as The Reds came to getting back into the contest as Everton claimed a sizeable 4-1 victory to continue their Merseyside derby dominance.

Next weekend, Liverpool go to Leicester City while Everton play host to Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park.