Nnadozie Shines on WSL Debut as Payne Features in Everton’s Derby Win
Written by Daniel Pelumi Oriloye on 7 — 09
Nigeria’s goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie made a brilliant debut for Brighton & Hove Albion, keeping a clean sheet in their 0–0 Barclays Women’s Super League draw against Aston Villa on Sunday.
Nnadozie, who joined Brighton from Paris FC in July and was handed the No. 1 jersey, started and played the full 90 minutes. She pulled off four crucial saves to preserve her side’s point and, in the process, became the first African goalkeeper to start a WSL match.
Both sides created clear chances, with Brighton recording 18 shots (four on target) while Villa had 12 attempts (four on target). Villa came closest, hitting the post twice, but Nnadozie’s composure and shot-stopping ensured Brighton’s defense held firm. Villa’s starting keeper, Sarah D’Angelo, was forced off at halftime due to injury, with Ellie Roebuck stepping in to maintain their clean sheet.
Brighton will next face Manchester City, where Nnadozie is expected to be tested against one of the league’s strongest attacks.
Meanwhile, at Anfield, Super Falcons forward Toni Payne featured in Everton’s 4-1 Merseyside Derby win over Liverpool. Payne came on in the 80th minute to replace Katja Snoeijs, who had earlier given Everton a 2-1 lead.
New signing Ornella Vignola was the star of the evening, scoring a hat trick after Cornelia Kapocs had given Liverpool the lead in the 12th minute. Vignola equalized, then struck twice in quick succession (54th and 56th minutes) to become the first Everton player since Dixie Dean in 1931 to score a hat trick against Liverpool.
Everton will next host Tottenham Hotspur, with Payne hoping for more minutes to help her side continue their winning run
