Everton climbed off the bottom of the Women’s Super League table courtesy of a controversial penalty in their slender 1-0 victory over rivals Liverpool.

It was the first win of Brian Sorensen’s side’s injury-hit league campaign and came much to the frustration of their Merseyside neighbours, who could scarcely believe their eyes when the hosts were awarded a first-half spot-kick for a foul on the Japan midfielder Honoka Hayashi that replays showed had taken place outside of the box. Katja Snoeijs converted the penalty in the 41st minute.