The egg and chips – or whatever it is they serve up for supper in the swanky Gleneagles Hotel – certainly tasted better for Catriona Matthew last night.

During Friday’s opening exchanges of the 16th Solheim Cup, the European skipper had watched the US gain something of a momentum booster on the 18th hole of the PGA Centenary course as two halved matches left the hosts thinking of what might have been.

Last night, the spirited rally of Georgia Hall and Celine Boutier, who were three down with five to play but ended up winning on the last, ensured Europe were heading into today’s closing singles level-pegging at 8-8

Glasgow Times:

“I think you always want to be going in ahead but tied is good and we are probably happier tonight than we were last night,” Matthew said.

“We have a good chance. There’s not much between the teams and we are going into it with a lot of confidence. It’s just going to come down to the odd shot or putt to get the momentum going one way or another.”

READ MORE: Solheim Cup evenly poised at Gleneagles

Juli Inkster, the US captain, raised eyebrows by leaving the unbeaten Korda sisters – Jessica and Nelly – out of the afternoon fourballs but the US won the session 2.5- 1.5 to get themselves level.

“My gosh, you’re sitting the Kordas and putting two rookies in the first match?” Inkster said with a smile as her bid for three straight wins as captain stayed on course. “I’m ecstatic to be where we’re at right now.”

Hall, meanwhile, added her own thoughts on the trudging pace of play.

“I was getting quite annoyed,” said the former Women’s British Open champion. “I understand conditions are hard and people take longer but not as long as they are taking.”

Spain’s Carlota Ciganda, who is one of the slowest players on show this weekend and was given a warning yesterday, leads off today’s singles.

It could be another long one.