Everton made Goodison Park the largest dedicated women’s stadium in the country when they moved into the 113-year-old former Everton men’s ground this summer.

They had played there, and won there, before the announced switch, beating Liverpool 1-0 in the Merseyside derby back in November 2024.

But the club have not benefited from the move as they had hoped.

Instead, Everton have become just the fifth team to lose their first six home games of a WSL season.

Their last home success was at Walton Hall Park in March 2025 when they cruised past bottom club Crystal Palace 3-0.

The only time they have avoided defeat in front of their own fans this term was in the League Cup in October when they beat Championship side Nottingham Forest on penalties following a 1-1 draw.

Against Brighton they were largely outplayed and never looked like creating history with that elusive first victory.

With Payne delivering three dangerous crosses into the box, the absence of French striker Kelly Gago was felt.

She was left out of the squad after the 27-year-old told French newspaper L’Equipe that Everton had blocked a move to Paris St-Germain.

Everton boss Brian Sorensen, managing his 100th game in charge of the club on Friday night, said Gago was “free to go” if another club met the release clause in her contract.