Kelly Gago may well be the difference to Brian Sorensen keeping his job for another week at least after the French forward scored a brace as Everton Women played out a six-goal thriller at Villa Park.
The 26-year-old followed up her goalscoring return against Nottingham Forest with a fine finish in front of the travelling Blues on 11 minutes, after being teed up perfectly by Martina Fernandez.
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Georgia Mullett deep into first-half stoppage time, before Kirsty Hanson gave Aston Villa the lead from close range just before the hour mark.
Hikaru Kitagawa then netted a sublime equaliser five minutes after coming off the bench, but makeshift centre-back Ruby Mace unfortunately deflected Ebony Salmon’s effort into her own net four minutes later.
But Gago showed just why she is Everton’s finest finisher with the last kick of the game.
A defensive mix up saw the former FC Nantes striker afforded time in the opposing box to smash a volley past Sabrina D’Angelo.
And Gago is promising more for her team, while declaring her happiness to be back on the pitch.
“I am feeling good, I’m so happy for the team,” she said. “My first two goals in a game, I’m so happy.
“Now, it’s better for the team and it’s better individually for me. So, I am feeling good. I’m happy.
“For the team, I never give up. From one minute to 90 minutes, I am strong.
“Everybody, the staff, the girls on the bench, the girls on the pitch, I’m feeling 100%.
“And I hope do [even] better next week.”
With Toni Payne restored to the starting XI, it is no coincidence that Everton were able to penetrate what was the WSL’s third best rearguard three times, in what is the first time this season the Blues have managed to score more than one in a game since the opening day victory over Liverpool.
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With Ornella Vignola restored in a wide role the Spaniard, alongside Gago and Payne, should be the front three moving forward.
Midfield and defence still seem to be an issue for Sorensen, though, who chose Mace to operate alongside the talented Fernandez, who will benefit greatly when club captain Megan Finnigan returns to the pitch.
While the Blues coach can’t be held responsible for injuries, the Dane had a bench that contained Kitagawa, Rion Ishikawa, Kenzie Weir and Issy Hobson, all of whom boast more experience of playing in the back four.
Clare Wheeler continued in the role of captain while in her preferred midfield position, alongside Rosa van Gool, who is becoming more and more comfortable in the WSL.
In truth, this was a match the Toffees deserved to win, with both Vignola and van Gool going close before Gago opened the scoring.
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The first 45 was dominated by the Blues, but a knock to the versatile and experienced Elise Stenevik may have derailed momentum, with the Norwegian star replaced at the break by Ishikawa, but not before Villa had drawn level.
The second 45 saw the two teams share four goals, with Everton coming from behind twice to earn a deserved point on the road.
In summing up, Sorensen must keep the front three as is, but the Mace experiment in the back didn’t work. Everton Women’s record signing is a fine player, but the head coach is on the cusp of some difficult decisions, one being whether there is currently a place for Mace in the team’s strongest XI.
Next up for the Toffees is a visit from Manchester City at Goodison Park. Kick-off on Sunday, 9 November is at 2.30pm GMT (9.30am ET, 6.30am PT).
