Zhipan Sport

Everton win at West Ham thanks to late own goal

Sep 21, 02:52 AM

A 94th-minute own goal sees Everton snatch victory over West Ham, the second Women's Super League match in a row they have won through an own goal.

Everton secured a dramatic 1-0 victory away at West Ham United in the Women's Super League, courtesy of a 94th-minute own goal. The win marks the second consecutive league match in which Everton have benefited from an own goal, adding a remarkable twist to their season. For much of the contest, the two sides traded blows without finding a breakthrough. West Ham, buoyed by their home support, created several promising opportunities, while Everton relied on a solid defensive structure and quick counter-attacks. As the clock ticked toward full time, a draw seemed the most likely outcome, but the closing moments delivered unexpected drama. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Everton launched one final attack. A seemingly harmless cross was whipped into the penalty area, and a West Ham defender, attempting to clear the danger, inadvertently turned the ball into her own net. The own goal sent the Everton bench and traveling supporters into raptures, while the home players stood stunned, struggling to comprehend the cruel turn of events. Notably, this is the second straight league fixture in which Everton have won via an own goal. In their previous match, they also profited from a defensive error by the opposition. While such fortune has yielded valuable points, it also highlights Everton's struggles in front of goal. The manager acknowledged after the game that her team defended well and fought hard, but stressed the need to improve their finishing. For West Ham, the defeat is a bitter pill to swallow. They were far from inferior during the match and even enjoyed spells of dominance, only to be undone by a single defensive lapse. In the increasingly competitive WSL, every point matters, and losing in such a manner is especially painful. From a standings perspective, Everton's win strengthens their position, while West Ham miss an opportunity to climb the table. As the season progresses and the margins between teams narrow, more dramatic moments like this are likely to unfold. Everton must consider how to convert luck into consistent performances, while West Ham need to recover quickly to avoid a lasting impact on morale. Ultimately, this match once again demonstrated the unpredictable nature of football. A single moment of misfortune can decide the outcome, and Everton were quick to capitalize. Though the performance was far from perfect, three points are three points, and for a team with ambitions of climbing the table or avoiding relegation, the result is what matters most.