If lightning does not strike twice, then those of an Everton persuasion would be justified in feeling slightly perturbed by what they witnessed at Kingsmeadow on Sunday evening.
Two contentious penalty decisions helped league leaders Chelsea restore their three-point advantage at the top of the Women’s Super League (WSL) table. And while the statistics show Emma Hayes’ side were good value for their 3-0 victory – with 16 shots compared to Everton’s three – the officiating in southwest London turned what was already an arduous task for the Blues into an impossible one.
Chelsea were predictably dominant in the opening exchanges but an injury-hit Everton stood firm, with their makeshift rearguard managing to keep the hosts at bay. There was a sense of disbelief, then, when referee Emily Heaslip pointed to the spot after what looked to be a superb challenge by auxiliary wing-back Clare Wheeler in the 27th minute.
The Australian did well to dispossess the tricky Guro Reiten inside the area before the follow-through sent Johanna Rytting Kaneryd tumbling to the turf, prompting Heaslip to award a penalty kick. Wheeler’s perplexed expression was reflective of the absurdity of the referee’s decision.
