LIVERPOOL, Feb 26 (SW) - Everton were back to league duty after last weeks County Cup Holiday. Manager Mo Marley was anxious for three points to keep their title challenge alive. It was also a must win game for Birmingham but for different reasons. Stuck at the foot of the table they are a real candidate for relegation.

The early exchanges were even enough with Everton pushing forward and Birmingham forcing an early corner. After 5 minutes Fern Whelan latched onto a forward ball which went to Jody Handley on the right who took it to the edge of the area before lobbing the advancing Birmingham keeper and into the net. A minute or so later Handley pushed into the box to get onto an Evans cross but her header went into the arms of Sue Wood. Then Fara Williams had a go from outside the area but her shot went wide of the left hand post. Everton seemed to be settling into the match when Birmingham broke out in another sweeping move. Maz Ballard beat the offside trap then wriggled away from the attentions Lindsay Johnston before slotting past Rachel Brown and after 15 minutes it was 1-1. Play then seemed to get bogged down with both defenses getting on top. However Rachel Unitt stumbled on the ball almost letting in Kirsty Robson, but the lines lady had already flagged offside. Unitt's free kick went all the way through to the Birmingham keeper Wood, who's clearance kick curiously spun off her foot and bouched behind for a corner. The resulting kick was punched away but Evans chipped back in the loose ball and Unitt almost got on the end of it. Towards the end of the half Rachel Unitt had another couple of stabs at getting a goal but her shots were blocked by Laura Bassett on each occasion.

The second half started lively. A Rachel Brown clearance cannoned off Robson but the ball bounced wide and she was able to gather and make another goal kick attempt. A minute later Handley got herself clear but an advancing Wood was able to smother the ball. Michelle Evans then had a crack at goal from the left but her shot rattled the crossbar. On the right Channy Parry and Becky Easton were putting together some good moves. Birmingham seemed to be mopping up what was being thrown at them and the match looked to be going to a state mate when an Easton cross from the bye line found it's way to Rachel Unitt who directed the ball past Wood. With just twenty minutes to go the relief could be felt around the ground. Birmingham tried to fight back but Everton weren't going to let their lead slip again and when Easton threw herself at a Handley corner the match was over when the looping header dropped just inside the crossbar. Everton pushed on looking for more goals and Fara Williams had another crack at it before being subbed and Jody Handley tried to chip the keeper again. Everton's day out was spoiled however when Rachel Unitt went down with an ankle injury and had to be taken off for treatment. With all subs used the Toffees played the last few minutes with ten players but still managed to create chances, when Amy McCann sent a header wide.

But the focus was on Unitt's condition and not the three points at the end. When asked about the injury she would'nt comment, concentrating instead on signing programmes for fans. However speaking the fansite rachel-unitt.net she said, 'I think it is ligament damage. I just rolled on it and it crunched. I knew as soon as I did it, it wasn't good and my first thoughts were about the England game. I now need to rest for a few days and see.' Well with the title race opening up after Charlton's 0-0 draw yesterday Everton will be hoping that Rachel can come sooner rather than later.

Everton- Birmingham 3-1 (1-1)

Referee: Rob Byrne, Attendance: 89

Goals: 5. Jody Handley 1-0, 15. Maz Ballard 1-1, 69. Rachel Unitt 2-1, 71. Becky Easton 3-1