Lucy Hope felt that today’s win had been ‘coming all season’ after Everton Women ended a run of 16 successive WSL defeats to Manchester City with an impressive victory over Gareth Taylor’s side at Walton Hall Park.
A sublime header from the Scotland international and a composed Honoka Hayashi finish capped off a dominant display by Blues, who outplayed the Citizens in their final fixture of 2024.
The visitors did pull one back in the second 45 thanks to a late Mary Fowler penalty, but the flattering consolation could not prevent the inevitable as Brian Sorensen’s team claimed three points.
While the result sent shockwaves throughout the WSL, it came as no surprise to Hope, who felt the team executed their plan perfectly.
“To be fair I think it has been coming all season, we’ve had a few narrow defeats in past games, one two goals being the difference and to be fair the performance sums us up - gritty, determined and I thought we executed our game plan perfectly,” she said.
“Trying to limit chances, we know City are a great side. The game plan was to sit back, make it hard and hit them on the counter and I think you can say it went pretty well.”
“Obviously I was delighted to get the goal but the win for the team is the most important thing because it’s such a vital time in the season.
Everton v Manchester City - Barclays Women’s Super League - Walton Hall Park Photo by Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images
“You break off for Christmas, you want to end on a high. I’m just absolutely delighted for everybody.”
11 changes were made following the midweek Women’s League Cup game, with Everton making their intentions clear from the get go.
Toni Payne and Katja Snoeijs’ partnership caused havoc for City’ backline throughout the contest, with the former’s pace creating space for her teammates to exploit.
And it was Snoeijs who had the game’s first chance. The Dutch star was the benefactor of a flowing team move but sent her shot over the bar after being played in by the impressive Melissa Lawley.
But Everton were not about to let the dominance count for nothing and took the lead on 30 minutes through Hope.
Sara Holmgaard collected from the right and her inch perfect cross was met by the versatile midfielder, who glanced her header past Khiara Keating.
Payne almost made it two minutes later. The forward latched on to a through pass and rounded Keating only to be thwarted by quick thinking by the City stopper, who did well to narrow the angle.
Hayashi made no mistake three minutes later, though.
The Japan international collected Lawley’s lofted pass and showed extreme composure to control, pick her spot, before sending the ball past Keating to put the Blues two goals to the good.
Everton v Manchester City - Barclays Women’s Super League - Walton Hall Park Photo by Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images
Payne was having the time of her life on the pitch and almost made it three on the stroke of half-time. The Nigerian broke free and once again rounded Keating before being upended by the City custodian only for a flag to be raised signifying the forward was offside.
Into the second 45 and Everton Women were more than ready for the visitors response, showing the same energy as the previous half mixed with resolute discipline and organisation.
Chances were less frequent but a Jill Roord header from a Fowler cross saw Courtney Brosnan called into action, before a long-range effort from Hayashi at the other end went wide of Keating’s goal.
And as the game wore on Sorensen made use of his bench, with Payne receiving rapturous applause from the Walton Hall Park faithful when she was replaced by Karoline Olesen on 79 minutes.
The Dane’s was in the thick of it and was shown a yellow card when she upended Yui Hasegawa in the area to concede a penalty with minutes remaining.
Fowler converted and Everton geared themselves for a tight finish.
But the Blues showed enough savvy to hold on and see the game out to end a Man City hoodoo as well as concluding 2024 with a well deserved victory that lifts Sorensen’s side to ninth.
Everton v Manchester City - Barclays Women’s Super League Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images
An extended break over the festive period can now be enjoyed before Everton Women return to action to face Tottenham Hotspur in the Women’s FA Cup on Sunday, 12 January.
Kick-off for the fixture at Walton Hall Park against Robert Vilahamn’s has yet to be confirmed.