From a Birmingham City perspective, this was another frustrating afternoon where the Blues showed enough to suggest they can compete in the WSL, but again left Goodison Park without the result their effort deserved.
Birmingham reacted well after falling behind to Ruby Mace’s 12th-minute opener, with Océane Hurtré responding just three minutes later to make it 1–1.
The equaliser was an important sign of Birmingham’s character. They have found themselves chasing games regularly during their first WSL campaign following promotion, but they have generally remained competitive. The problem continues to be turning competitive performances into victories.
The turning point
The decisive moment came in the 72nd minute, when Mace scored her second of the afternoon to put Everton back in front.
For Birmingham, conceding twice to a player operating from Everton’s defensive line will be particularly disappointing. Mace ultimately became the difference between the sides, and Birmingham were unable to find another response.
There was at least evidence of Birmingham’s attacking threat. Hurtré has been one of the brighter performers in what has otherwise been a difficult opening to life in the WSL, and her goal continued a promising individual start to the campaign. The official WSL preview had already identified her as Birmingham’s principal attacking threat.
What Birmingham can take from it
The positives are clear:
- They scored away from home against an Everton side that had conceded only twice in its opening four league matches.
- They recovered immediately after going behind.
- They remained in the game until Everton found the winner in the second half.
- Hurtré continues to provide an attacking outlet.
But the bigger concern is the league position and conversion of performances into points. Birmingham entered the game with two draws and two defeats, and this loss leaves them still searching for their first WSL victory.
The context matters, though. This is Birmingham’s first season back in the WSL after promotion, so there is inevitably an adaptation period. Their 3–3 draw with Crystal Palace showed the attacking potential in the squad, but conceding goals has been an issue.
Verdict from the Blues’ side
Encouraging performance, disappointing outcome.
Birmingham didn’t look out of place against Everton, but the difference at this level is often decided by moments in both penalty areas. Everton had the individual match-winner in Mace, while Birmingham again couldn’t turn their competitiveness into three points.
The immediate challenge for Amy Merrick is therefore not necessarily a wholesale change in approach, but finding greater defensive reliability and ruthlessness in key moments.
The encouraging part for Birmingham supporters is that the gap doesn’t look insurmountable. The frustrating part is that, after five league matches, the Blues still haven’t converted that competitiveness into a WSL win.
