Stakes set to rise again for Everton as familiar problem emerges in frustrating draw

"We know what is at stake and we will be ready for it."

That was the avowal of Everton boss Brian Sorensen on the eve of the Blues' clash with newly-promoted Bristol City. At stake in the short term, of course, were three precious Women's Super League (WSL) points.

But the Dane's pre-match musings alluded to the wider significance of Sunday's match. After six top flight games last season, Everton looked to be in the ascendency after a summer overhaul at Walton Hall Park.

At the same juncture this term, the Blues' most pressing priority was putting some much-needed breathing space between themselves and the drop zone after picking up just four of the 18 points on offer since the start of the campaign.

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Only two teams - Aston Villa and Bristol City - had amassed a lowlier tally - a statistic that only served to intensify the jeopardy around Sunday's meeting with the Robins. But, if Sorensen's squad were feeling the pressure when they lined up at a rainy Walton Hall Park, it didn't show.

From the moment the first whistle blew, the Blues attacked the contest with all the vigour and ferocity of a team that knew, as intimated by their manager, exactly what was at stake . And it wasn't long before they reaped the rewards of their full-throttle start, as summer signing Martina Piemonte found the back of the net inside five minutes.

The Italian did well to connect with Katrine Veje's dangerous low drive into the area and, after seeing her initial effort palmed away by Olivia Clark, she reacted quickly to bundle the ball home. The goal was Piemonte's first since arriving on Merseyside