Newcastle United 1(0)-(3)1 Everton Women: Women's League Cup Report

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Brosnan's brilliance ensures Blues win on penalties

Courtney Brosnan made both history and headlines after producing three saves (four if you count the retake) from the spot as Everton Women claimed a 3-0 penalty shootout triumph.

The tie had ended all square after Emma Bissell cancelled out an early Demi Stokes goal, but it was the Blues that claimed the bonus point in their opening Group A game as Justine Vanhaevermaet, Katja Snoeijs and Megan Finnegan made no mistake from 12 yards.

Brian Sorensen had spoken of squad rotation and was as good as his word with five changes from the side who narrowly lost to Manchester United on Sunday.

The Dane would have been fearing the worst, though, when Stokes hammered home after just five minutes to give the Magpies an early lead.

Thankfully Brosnan's brilliance didn't begin after the 90 minutes had concluded, and she had to be at her best on 22 minutes when a hopeful long ball found Isabella Sibley through on goal. The Republic of Ireland's No.1's quick thinking forced the midfielder to rush her shot and she could only hit the ball against the stopper.

Everton's best chance of a half where they were largely second best fell to Veatriki Sarri. The Greek international met Bissell's cross, but her strike was bravely blocked before being scrambled away for a corner.

A change of personnel saw the Blues emerge stronger in the second half and they found themselves level five minutes after the restart. Substitute Clare Wheeler continued to show her fine early-season form with an inch perfect past that found the advancing Toni Payne, and the forward's fizzed ball into the box was met by Bissell, who made no mistake with the finish.

With the scores level, it was the Toffees who searched for the winner and nearly found a second through Elise Stenevik. Once again Wheeler was the instigator, delivering a corner straight onto the head of the defender who rattled Hannah Reid's upright.

And with the scores even, matters would be settled from the spot. First Vanhaevermaet exorcised her demons from 12 yards to tuck away Everton's first spot kick.

Then it was Brosnan's turn to take the spotlight. The Blues stopper guessed correctly to repel Amy Andrews' penalty.

Snoeijs, normally so reliable from the spot, was next and made no mistake to double her team's advantage.

Georgia Gibson became the next to try and beat Brosnan, but found the 'keeper in impenetrable form as her effort was beaten away.

The 26-year-old breathed a sigh of relief as a retake was ordered, but found herself second best again as Brosnan was putting on a masterclass even Neville Southall would be proud of.

Captain Finnigan then strolled up and coolly slotted home to give her side a 3-0 lead.

Rachel Furness then had the task of doing something not one of her teammates had managed to do in order to keep Newcastle's chances of a bonus point alive - beat Brosnan from 12 yards.

But like Andrews and Gibson before her, the 28-year-old saved again to achieve a total shutout of penalties and ensure it was Everton who would get the bonus point in their Women's League Cup opener.

Up next for Sorensen's side is a trip to the capital to face Arsenal at The Emirates on Sunday, 6 October.

The Blues resume League Cup action on 22 November, when they take on Manchester United at Walton Hall Park.