Beard vents over penalty error as Everton edge derby

An exasperated Matt Beard claimed the match officials had cost his Liverpool team the Merseyside derby, after a controversial penalty enabled Everton to claim their first win of the Women's Super League season and move off the bottom of the table.

- Tom Garry

Beard and his players could scarcely believe their eyes when the hosts were awarded a spot-kick for a foul on the Japan midfielder Honoka Hayashi that replays showed had taken place outside the box. Katja Snoeijs converted the penalty in the 41st minute.

Liverpool's exasperation was added to in the second half when they were not awarded a penalty when they felt Sara Holmgaard had pushed the Wales international Ceri Holland.

Beard slammed his arms against his body in disbelief and said: "Everton have created nothing all game and they've been gifted an opportunity to win the game.

"I just feel we've been let down by the officials today. Ultimately, those decisions have cost us either a point or potentially three points today.

"It [Everton's] wasn't a penalty. That's it. It completely changes the complexity of the game. The officials have all got unblocked views. Even I saw the contact was about a yard outside the box. I just give up with it, to be honest with you, because it happens every week and not just with us. It's cost us the game today, 100%."