Everton Women 2-1 Liverpool Women: Toffees boss Willie Kirk wins first game in charge

Everton climbed off the bottom of the Women's Super League as new manager Willie Kirk's tenure began with a Merseyside derby win over Liverpool.

Eight winless games had seen previous manager Andy Spence depart but Kirk got off the mark at the first attempt.

Inessa Kaagman's 30-yard rocket put Everton ahead but Jess Clarke levelled from close range within six minutes.

However, Simone Magill drilled Everton back ahead from outside the box and they held off the Reds after the break.

Liverpool - who have now suffered five straight defeats - had two great chances to earn a point late on but Sophie Bradley-Auckland nodded wide and Leandra Little's header hit the post.

The two sides meet again at Tranmere Rovers' Prenton Park - Liverpool's home ground - in the Continental Tyres Cup on Wednesday (5 December).

Everton match-winner Simone Magill:

"What better game to get our first win than in the Merseyside derby? We thoroughly deserved it and I am so proud of the girls.

"We are all thrilled to have him [Willie Kirk] as manager and we are already starting to see signs of what is to come.

"We all really believe that this is the start of something special."

Liverpool striker Courtney Sweetman-Kirk:

"It was hard - looking at the spells of play and chances we had, we had the better of it, but it was two fantastic goals to win it and all credit to Everton for that.

"We knew that when Everton were in front they would look to stick in defensively and graft, but we did have some chances at the end and on another day they go in."