Three-time CAF Goalkeeper of the Year, Chiamaka Nnadozie produced a Player of the Match performance as Brighton & Hove Albion edged Everton 1–0 away in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
This result extended the Toffees’ miserable home run at Goodison Park as Brighton handed Everton an historic sixth straight home defeat.
The Super Falcons goalkeeper was outstanding between the posts, keeping a deserved clean sheet and making two decisive saves at crucial moments to protect Brighton’s narrow advantage in a fiercely contested encounter.
Brighton’s winning moment came in the 41st minute, following a costly error at the back from Everton defender Martina Fernandez.
Her attempted clearance was blocked by Kiko Seike, who skipped past her before cutting the ball back for Jelena Čanković to slot home.
The finish marked Čanković’s first WSL goal of the season, proving enough to separate the sides.
Cankovic Strike Decides It
While Čanković supplied the goal, it was Nnadozie who ensured Brighton left Merseyside with all three points.
Five minutes into the second half, the 25-year-old goalkeeper recovered superbly after gifting possession straight to her Super Falcons teammate Toni Payne, keeping out the forward’s close-range effort to preserve the lead.
Everton came closest to an equaliser in the 81st minute when Melissa Lawley caused chaos down the flank and the ball fell kindly to substitute Mayumi Pacheco, but Nnadozie raced off her line to produce a stunning reaction save from point-blank range.
She had already demonstrated her authority earlier, dealing calmly with pressure as Brighton controlled large spells of the match.
Chiamaka Nnadozie Continues Her Brilliance in the WSL
Nnadozie’s consistency this season continues to stand out across the league.
She has now recorded 44 saves in 11 league appearances, alongside four clean sheets, placing her joint second in the WSL clean-sheet rankings, just one behind Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Remarkably, she has already matched Brighton’s total number of clean sheets from 22 league games last season.
Everton’s Home Woes Deepen
The defeat extended Everton’s torrid run at Goodison Park, where they remain without a single point this season.
The club moved into the historic 113-year-old stadium over the summer, making it the largest dedicated women’s football ground in the country.
Instead of reaping the benefits, Everton have now become only the fifth team in WSL history to lose their first six home matches in a single season.
Their last home league victory came in March 2025 at Walton Hall Park, where they defeated Crystal Palace 3–0.
The only time they have avoided defeat in front of their own fans this campaign was in the League Cup in October, beating Nottingham Forest on penalties after a 1–1 draw.
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Absences and Frustration for the Toffees
Super Falcons and Everton defender, Toni Payne delivered three dangerous crosses but Everton struggled creatively, with the absence of French striker Kelly Gago keenly felt.
The 27-year-old was left out of the squad after revealing to L’Équipe that Everton had blocked a proposed move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Speaking after the match, Everton manager Brian Sørensen, who was taking charge of his 100th game for the club, confirmed the situation, stating that Gago was “free to go” if another club met the release clause in her contract.
WSL Table Standings
This is Brighton’s first league win since December 7, lifting the Seagulls up to sixth place with 17 points from 13 matches.
Everton, meanwhile, remain 10th in the table, having suffered a ninth defeat of the campaign.
Despite being four points clear of bottom-placed Liverpool, all eight of Everton’s points this season have come away from home, leaving Goodison Park firmly established as a ground of frustration rather than fortress.
