Manchester United welcomed Everton at Leigh Sports Village for the 18th Round in the Women’s Super League. The teams went all out in the first ten minutes, creating a match that was fun to watch. After it turned into quite the stop-start situations due to the many fouls and injuries. Read our match report on Manchester United vs Everton here.
Match Highlights
Very exciting opening 10 minutes.
Dominique Janssen capitalised on an error from Courtney Brosnan – opening the scoring.
Grace Clinton doubled the Manchester United lead.
Another clean sheet for Man Utd.
Source: Manchester City on X
Thrilling start to the first half
Everton stormed out of the gates and thought they had scored the opener in the first three minutes. However, Fernandez’s effort deflected off the arm of Snoeijs before the Dutch international tapped it in.
Moments after the disallowed Everton goal, Grace Clinton sent Terland away over the top. Terland could not get the ball past Brosnan. Everton continued to press high and it paid off when Gago outmatched Le Tissier, but Tullis-Joyces was there to clear the ball.
Short breaks in play
The first ten minutes were a joy to watch, as both sides really chased down that opening goal. When Riviere was fouled by Wheeler, you could see her ankle make an awkward movement. She received treatment and came back on but was still visibly limping.
Five minutes later Heather Payne went down. Also rolling her ankle while chasing down Galton. She returned to play after receiving treatment.
Rare Brosnan mistake leads to first goal
Manchester United opened the scoring when play resumed with a free kick after Anna Sandberg was fouled by Heather Payne. Toone delivered into the box, Brosnan came off her line to catch it, missed, and Janssen tapped it in.
After the goal, the game calmed down slightly; however both sides made plenty of fouls resulting in many stop-start situations. It took the excitement from the first ten minutes out of the game.
Source: Manchester United on X
Second Half: Grace Clinton finds the net
Manchester United doubled their lead in the 47th minute. Galton worked her way past H. Payne and found Clinton in the box in a tight space. She managed to flick the ball into the net.
The second goal triggered the first changes for Everton. Heather Payne and Hayley Ladd came off for Karen Holmgaard and Elise Stenevik. Marc Skinner decided to take Bizet off, who had been uncomfortable on and off during the first half. Melvine Malard replaced her.
Fighting for a goal
Everton tried to get through the Manchester United defense but had little success. Sørensen changed it up by taking Toni Payne and Clare Wheeler off for Karoline Olesen and Melissa Lawley. The team had some bright moments in attack, but Le Tissier did an excellent job at keeping Gago at bay.
Leah Galton came off with an injury and was replaced by Simi Awujo. Grace Clinton also made way for Lisa Naalsund.
Final ten minutes
With ten more minutes and stoppage time remaining, The Toffees still had time to turn it around. Sørensen made Everton’s fifth and final change: Snoeijs off for Sarri. Everton fought for every inch of the ball but everytime, a Manchester United player ready to intercept.
Marc Skinner used his final substitutions: Riviere off for Mannion and Terland off for Williams.
The referee blew the whistle: Manchester United secured a 2-0 win. The three points are very important in the battle for a top three spot. Right now, they take over Arsenal’s second place but The Gunners can take it right back if they beat Crystal Palace.