First half goals from Ella Toone and Christen Press helped Manchester United to a 2-0 win over Everton at Walton Hall Park this afternoon.
Following their first defeat of the season at the hands of Chelsea, Manchester United bounced back positively with a home victory over Birmingham City last weekend. Casey Stoney’s side hadn’t lost two consecutive away games since December 2019 but they did suffer defeat on their previous visit to Walton Hall Park in the FA Women’s Continental League Cup with Everton winning that tie 1-0. The Blue Girls would have taken confidence from that despite having never beaten United in the league but it was the away side who came out victorious this afternoon.
United had the lead inside the first 10 minutes thanks to Toone’s composed finish. Leah Galton drove down the left towards the Everton goal and her cross-cum-shot could only be parried by goalkeeper Sandy MacIver. Christen Press couldn’t react quick enough to turn the ball in but Toone kept a level head to side-foot the ball into the unguarded net.
Press then did take her opportunity just five minutes before half-time. A neat ball from captain Katie Zelem was played into the forward who controlled well to open the space up in the area and she fired past MacIver to put her side two goals ahead.
Stoney side were much the better side in the first half with Mary Earps not having a save to make. Everton improved after the interval and began to work Earps much more with Jill Scott letting fly with great effort from distance but the United stopper was equal to it.
There was also a very contentious decision when substitute Kirsty Hanson pounced on a Megan Finnigan mistake and looked to be through on goal. She was then brought down by the Everton centre-back but was only shown a yellow card when it could’ve easily been a red.
Neither side was able to add to the scoreline in the second period and the match finished 2-0. The result keeps United level on points with Chelsea at the top of the table while Everton remain fifth but lose ground on the top four. UEFA Women’s Champions League qualification looks more and more unlikely for Willie Kirk’s team.
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