Ornella Vignola scored a hat-trick on her debut as Everton thrashed Liverpool 4-1 in the Merseyside derby. Liverpool took an early lead, but Vignola’s goals, along with a header from Katja Snoeijs, secured a dominant victory for Everton. Other WSL results included Manchester United’s 4-0 win over Leicester City and Tottenham’s 1-0 victory against West Ham.
Ornella Vignola etched her name into Everton folklore with a sensational hat-trick on her debut, propelling the Toffees to a resounding 4-1 victory over Liverpool in the Merseyside derby. The Women's Super League (WSL) clash at Anfield witnessed a dominant display from Brian Sorensen's side, who recovered from an early setback to dismantle their rivals in style.
Liverpool began brightly, fueled by the Anfield crowd, and deservedly took the lead through a moment of brilliance from Cornelia Kapocs. The midfielder skillfully evaded challenges before unleashing a powerful shot that cannoned off the underside of the crossbar and into the net, leaving the Everton goalkeeper with no chance.
However, Everton responded resiliently, gradually wrestling control of the game. Vignola, a summer signing, announced herself to the Everton faithful in spectacular fashion. The forward displayed exceptional skill and composure to cut inside before curling a sublime left-footed strike into the far corner, leveling the score midway through the first half. The goal visibly boosted Everton's confidence, and they began to assert their dominance.
Just when it seemed the first half would end in a stalemate, Everton struck again in added time. Katja Snoeijs rose highest to meet a pinpoint cross, heading the ball past the Liverpool goalkeeper to give Everton a 2-1 lead going into the break. The goal was a testament to Everton's growing superiority and tactical prowess.
The second half belonged entirely to Everton, as they continued to pile pressure on the Liverpool defense. Vignola completed her hat-trick with two further goals, showcasing her predatory instincts and clinical finishing. The first came eight minutes after the restart when she met Mayumi Pacheco's inviting cross with a well-placed header, sending the ball soaring into the net. Her third goal arrived on the counter-attack, a composed finish that took a slight deflection off Lily Woodham before finding the back of the net. With her hat-trick, Vignola not only sealed the victory for Everton but also established herself as an instant hero among the Toffees supporters.
Everton continued to create chances, and were unlucky not to add a fifth goal when Rosa van Gool's effort struck the woodwork. The Toffees' attacking verve and defensive solidity proved too much for Liverpool, who struggled to contain their rampant opponents.
Merseyside is, always has been, and always will be, BLUE!
Up The Four-goal Toffees! pic.twitter.com/ZRexoJNonb
— Everton Women (@EvertonWomen) September 7, 2025
The emphatic victory propelled Everton to third place in the WSL standings after the opening matchday, while Liverpool found themselves languishing in 10th. The result marked a significant statement of intent from Everton, signaling their ambition to challenge for the title this season.
Elsewhere in the WSL, Manchester United cruised to a 4-0 victory over Leicester City, with Ella Toone and Elizabeth Terland finding the net before Melvine Malard's late brace sealed the win. Tottenham Hotspur, under new boss Martin Ho, secured a narrow 1-0 win over West Ham United, courtesy of a late penalty from Bethany England. Meanwhile, Brighton & Hove Albion and Aston Villa played out a goalless draw.
Everton's clinical performance was underlined by the fact that they scored four goals from just five shots on target. Their expected goals (xG) of 0.86 was lower than Liverpool's 1.17, highlighting their efficiency in front of goal. Furthermore, the Toffees' victory marked the first time in 27 WSL matches that they had won after conceding the opening goal, demonstrating their resilience and determination.
Vignola's impact was particularly impressive, as she scored from all three of her shots and had just four touches in the opposition box. Despite primarily operating as a midfielder or winger, the 20-year-old excelled as a central striker, leading the line with distinction for her new side. Her performance suggests that she could be a key player for Everton this season.