Royals went 2-0 ahead through goals from Lauren Bruton and Emma Follis, and they held on despite Paige Williams’ penalty reducing the deficit during a late Toffees surge.

It was a big win for Reading as they had taken just one point from the previous six matches and captain Bruton was delighted to hold on.

“I feel amazing but it’s not just about the win, it’s how we won,” she said. “We won as a group and we bounced back from a draw against Oxford.

“It was a rough patch for us before this game and we’ve come back flying.

“It was a good team performance and we deserved it for all the hard work we have put it over the last two and half weeks in training.” Everton – who were relegated from WSL 1 last season – arrived at Farnborough’s Rushmoor Community Stadium with an unbeaten record from their first five games.

They started the stronger and created a couple of good opportunites in the opening stages, but Lucy Whipp and Dan Turner both fired wide.

Reading started to grow into the game, though, and broke the deadlock with 37 minutes on the clock.

Vicky Jones’ loose backpass was picked up by the alert Helen Ward and she squared it to Bruton, who curled it beyond the outstretched arm of Megan Walsh.

It remained that way until the break and it took just six minutes for the Royals to double their lead in the second half.

Bruton turned provider this time as she found Follis in the box, who made no mistake as she drilled the ball across Walsh and into the corner of the net.

It seemed like that goal would give Reading breathing space but the two goal lead was shortlived as Everton responded almost instantly from the penalty spot.

Rebecca Jane brought down Turner in the box and Williams converted from 12 yards to reduce the arrears.

That gave Everton the impetus to push forward but despite dominating the closing stages, they couldn’t find an equaliser against a resolute home defence.

The closest the visitors came was when Reading keeper Grace Moloney denied Simone Magill with a fantastic late save.

The three points means Royals remain second after six games, three points behind league leaders Doncaster Belles, who Reading travel to on Saturday.