Nigeria international Tony Payne shared mixed feelings despite ending her goal drought in Everton’s 3-1 loss to Arsenal in Friday’s Women’s Super League fixture at a sold-out Walton Hall Park.
Since joining the English side from Sevilla in July 2024, the 29-year old forward had failed to register a goal for The Toffees. However, Payne ended her nine-month goal drought with a 37th minute strike beating goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger.
The 29-year old had deflected Everton’s Katja Snoeijs’ shot, but Payne reacted quickest to bundle home her first goal for the Toffees, cancelling out Alessia Russo’s opener.
However, an unfortunate Martina Fernandez own goal and a second for Russo in stoppage time ensured that it would be Renee Slegers’ side who would return to London with all three points.
The win at Walton Hall Park mean Arsenal leapfrog Man United – who lost 3-1 at Liverpool on Friday night, and eight points behind leaders Chelsea – to second in the table on goal difference.
After the match, Payne expressed a mix of reactions, saying, “Hi Blues, sorry for not getting the result today, but happy to score my first goal.”
“I said it to the girls yesterday; when they [Arsenal] get it right, they are the best team in the league in terms of how they press, out of possession, they are really hard to play against,” said Everton head coach, Brian Sorensen who believes his side lost to the best team in the league.
“Defensively we were probably not at our best compared to how we have been. And in some of the transitional moments [of the game] we never really got a foothold.
A tough night, but we have a lot of new players, many of them are playing Arsenal for the first time, so they have to learn to get used to the tempo and physicality.”
“They won fair and square today and we have to look forward, we still have so much to improve. I’m gutted we didn’t get anything but we made a game out of it, at least until the last 15 minutes.”
Everton will be hoping to bounce back from their first debate at home this season when they host Crystal Palace on Saturday.
On the other hand, Chelsea will square up against Manchester City in the Women League Cup final at the Park Pride Stadium later today.
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