REPORT | EVERTON WOMEN 0-5 MANCHESTER UNITED WOMEN

Everton Women suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat at Walton Hall Park on Sunday when they faced last season’s title runners up Manchester United. The defeat means that Everton Women are still yet to pick up any points at home this season.

The defeat comes as a disappointing result, just a week after their incredible win in the Merseyside Derby at Anfield.

Brian Sørensen made two changes to the starting lineup from the game at Anfield, starting Katja Snoeijs for the first time this season. Clare Wheeler also appeared from the off after replacing the injured Lucy Hope just minutes into the derby.

There was not much action in the first few minutes, with minimal opportunities for either side. The first meaningful chance came five minutes in when Courtney Brosnan stopped a shot from Melvine Malard. From then on, the opposition promptly got going with offensive barrages that Everton fiercely repelled.

The Toffee’s withstood the onslaught and created an opportunity of their own in the twelfth minute. Nicoline Sørensen was put through but with the tight angle, the Danish international’s shot went over.

Then, two minutes later, Manchester United scored through Melvine Malard. The French sensation beat goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan with a well placed header to put her team ahead.

Late in the half, the Blue’s had two chances to equalise, but Mary Earps was unyielding. The England international stopped Hanna Bennison from range first, then cleaned up her own mistake when Nico Sørensen intercepted her pass and made the custodian save low to stop the forward’s attempt. Everton Women were unfortunate to go into the second half a goal down due to a solid first half performance.

A second half of unwavering pressure and merciless finishing from the visitors increased the score in their favour. Former Blue, Nikita Parris, met a cross from Katie Zelem to head the ball past Courtney Brosnan and into the back of the net. She then went on to dispossess Katrine Veje and play the ball to substitute, Rachel Williams for a tap-in goal.

Just 8 minutes later, Rachel Williams got her second of the game and United’s fourth, heading home the ball past Courtney Brosnan. United’s final

goal from a ruthless attack on the Blues’s came in added time, Nikita Parris found the rebound to finish into the Toffee’s net once again, despite an initial excellent save from Courtney Brosnan.

Player of the match for me has to be Clare Wheeler. A solid performance in the first half, especially when attacking, great to see a strong performance in a different position for the Australian International.

Everton Women are back in action after the international break when they face Tottenham Hotspur away on Sunday the 5th of November. Kick off is at 2pm.