Everton Women 1-3 Chelsea Women: Pernille Harder scores twice on return
- Published
Pernille Harder has contributed to five goals in her last four WSL games (3 goals, 2 assists)
Chelsea won in the absence of boss Emma Hayes as Pernille Harder marked her first club appearance of the season with two goals at Everton.
Long-serving Hayes is taking time away from the game to recover from an emergency hysterectomy.
A header by Denmark midfielder Harder put Chelsea on course for a third straight Women's Super League win.
Kadeisha Buchanan's own goal made it 1-1 before Harder scored a penalty and Niamh Charles sealed the points.
The penalty was awarded after Everton keeper Courtney Brosnan fouled Guro Reiten in front of a record crowd of 1,668 at Walton Hall Park.
Lauren James and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd also hit the bar for Chelsea, who were without forward Fran Kirby because of illness.
Chelsea's players warmed-up for the game in tops with the message "Get Well Soon Emma"
The win briefly lifted Chelsea to second in the table, level on points with leaders Manchester United, who defeated Brighton 4-0 earlier on Sunday.
Arsenal later moved above Chelsea after winning 1-0 at Reading in the day's late game.
Everton, who had beaten Leicester and Liverpool in their previous two league games, are fifth in the table.
Chelsea deliver tonic for Hayes
Chelsea's players warmed up in tops with the message "Get Well Soon Emma" on the back, while the travelling Blues fans chanted the manager's name throughout the game.
Hayes watched the match from home as her assistant Denise Reddy took charge in the dugout.
Chelsea were made to work hard for the points, but Harder's return to the side after injury was timely.
She opened the scoring against a stubborn Everton side with a downward header after meeting Reiten's cross.
Her second goal came from the spot, coolly beating Brosnan after Everton had threatened to frustrate the defending WSL champions following their equaliser.
Substitute Charles made it 3-1 with a clinical finish in the closing moments.
Speaking about Harder, Chelsea general manager Paul Green said: "We missed her in the early part of the season but coming back and having a player of her quality, it's great to call on her services.
"Her first goal was a great team move, which she finished off really well and she showed great composure for the penalty, which was a crucial moment in the game.
"We're really delighted for Pernille and we look forward to her hopefully staying fit and healthy for the rest of the season."
Chelsea's thoughts now turn to the Champions League. They can expect another tough examination against Paris St-Germain on Thursday, but they will head to France with momentum high.
Everton have scored in their last three games in the Women's Super League, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of three games from 14 November 2021 to 12 December 2021
Positives in defeat for Everton
Everton are much improved from last season, and there were once again positives for manager Brian Sorensen after a hard-working display by his players.
Denmark defender Katrine Veje impressed, while the the Toffees showed spirit to equalise after falling behind in the first half.
Nikita Parris, back in 2014, remains the last player in an Everton shirt to score against Chelsea in the Women's Super League.
But Buchanan's own goal gave the hosts hope before Harder restored Chelsea's lead.
"I'm actually super disappointed because I think we can do better," Sorensen said.
"It's a Chelsea side that are super strong, everybody knows that, but I'm actually disappointed.
"The stage that we are now, we are not going to produce more chances than Chelsea. But we can limit their chances by keeping the ball, being smart, and then we have to take ours.
"We're not there yet, but we'll keep working."