Three first-half goals from the Blue Girls secure a stunning win at the Select Security Stadium.

Everton returned to winning ways with a 3-0 victory over WSL 2 leaders Yeovil Town.

A brace from Chloe Kelly either side of a Rosella Ayane goal in the first-half narrowed the gap at the top of the division to just six points.

Everton took the lead in the tenth minute after making the most of some slack defending from the visitors. Krystle Johnston’s cross was poorly dealt with by the Yeovil defence, and Kelly was on hand to rifle the rebound past the helpless Howard.

They didn’t have to wait long for a second. Ayane pounced on Howard’s dropped ball from a corner and fired into an empty net to double the hosts’ advantage.

Kelly got her second of the afternoon from the penalty spot to put the Blue Girls in cruise control. After being fouled in the box by Carlton following a neat turn, and the on-loan Arsenal forward picked herself up to stroke the ball home into the bottom corner from 12 yards.

It was nearly four on the stroke of half-time, as Howard made a smart double save to deny Kelly a hat-trick and then Claudia Walker from the follow-up.

Chances were few and far between in the second half. Yeovil rarely threated but almost reduced the deficit when Nicola Cousins’ header flashed across the face of goal, with no one from the away side there to finish.

Walker and Kelly Jones almost made it an even more impressive win for the Blue Girls but saw their efforts well saved by Howard.

Everton move up to third place and have the chance to go top if they win their two games in hand.

They travel to face Oxford next weekend.

Attendance: 333