Manchester United overcame a strong start by Everton in the Women’s Super League to secure a crucial 2-0 victory.
After a bright start for Everton, Dominique Janssen capitalised on a goalkeeping error to put the Red Devils ahead, before Grace Clinton doubled the advantage straight after half-time.
Marc Skinner’s side was without both Millie Turner, who picked up an injury against Aston Villa, and Gabby George, who was serving a suspension. Janssen and Anna Sandberg came into the starting 11 in their respective places. Brian Sørensen made just the one switch, with Clare Wheeler replacing Honoka Hayashi.
The Lineups
MUN: Tullis-Joyce; Riviere, Le Tissier, Sandberg, Miyazawa; Clinton, Janssen, Toone; Bizet, Galton; Terland
EVE: Brosnan; Payne, Mjelde, Fernandez, Holmgaard; Snoeijs, Ladd, Wheeler, Vanhaevermaet; Payne, Gago
The Action
Katja Snoeijs thought she had got on the scoresheet early for Everton, but the forward was deemed to have handballed it in the lead up to the tap in.The afternoon was off to a fast start at a blustery Leigh Sports Village, but the Toffees had chances wasted by both Elisabeth Terland and Kelly Gago.
The visitors controlled the early action, before a break in play allowed Jayde Riviere to receive treatment following a heavy challenge by Clare Wheeler. After team huddles for both sides, play continued. The hosts had come to life, but full-back Riviere was struggling. Sørensen’s side hoped to catalyse on the setback, but Phallon Tullish-Joyce was there to deny Gago’s promising effort.
An uncharacteristic error by Courtney Brosnan helped Manchester United to the opener in the 22nd minute, against the run of play. The goalkeeper was too high in the air as she looked to claim a United free kick, and the ball evaded her grip. After an initial goal line clearance by Martina Fernandez, it was slotted into the back of the net by Janssen, earning the midfielder her second goal in a Red Devils shirt.
After some good play from the Manchester outfit, an apologetic Brosnan was in search of redemption, rapidly off her line to nullify any chance of a goal for Terland after she was picked out by Hinata Miyazawa. Everton pushed up themselves, but Skinner’s side looked determined to maintain their advantage.
Clinton looked set to haunt her former club after the Toffees’ insistence upon playing out from the back almost proved deadly. A lacklustre pass from Brosnan was pounced upon by the midfielder, but she sent it wide. After Bizet’s shot was saved, captain Maya Le Tissier took her chance from distance as half-time drew near, firing it narrowly over the bar.
Only 90 seconds after returning from the break, Clinton deservingly scored the Red Devils their second. The up-and-coming Lioness timed her run to perfection, and guided Leah Galton’s pinpoint cross into the back of the net.
The spark Everton had shown early on looked to have dimmed, as counterattacks grew fewer and further between with Gago lacking support in the final third from her peers, and the backline looked less secure.
Excitement lessened as the game’s momentum fizzled out. Both sides began to look sloppy, Manchester United had done what they needed to do, and the Toffees would be disappointed with their performance this time out.
Manchester United Player Ratings
Phallon Tullis-Joyce – 6/10 – Did not have too much asked of her, but did her job well, especially in the first half.
Jayde Riviere – 8/10 – Despite picking up an injury early on, Riviere is one of United’s most valuable assets. Not only does she defend rigorously (although sometimes beaten for pace today with a clearly painful ankle), but she asserts herself in the evolved attacking fullback role with excellence.
Maya Le Tissier – 8/10 – Lead her side to bounce back from a slightly shaky start to the clash. Knows when to press high, and when her dominance at the back is required against a hungry opposition.
Anna Sandberg – 6/10 – Coming into this starting eleven is not an easy task. Sandberg’s performance was not revolutionary, but nor was it poor. Overall, she did reasonably well stepping into the shoes of George.
Hinata Miyazawa – 7/10 – Executes her role professionally, urging her side to dominate in possession. Also does well to pick out her teammates to move the ball forward and catalyse some attacking motions.
Grace Clinton – 8/10 – Knowing her own high quality, Clinton looked frustrated not to put away some chances in the first-half, but plays with assertion and shines creatively. Emerged from the tunnel with a clear head, and did extremely well to double her side’s lead early on in the second half. Came off in the 73rd minute.
Dominique Janssen – 8/10 – Defensively sound and an instinctive attacking threat coming into this lineup. A true senior player’s performance. Her opener turned the game on its head and rattled the Toffees.
Ella Toone – 4/10 – Quite anonymous in this fixture. No huge impact – no notable errors, but did nothing to bolster the attack.
Celin Bizet – 8/10 – One of United’s strongest attacking outlets in the first half. Confident, creative, and crucial to this team. Substituted off in the 54th minute due to injury.
Leah Galton – 9/10 – Worked hard during the opening half, her big presence felt by Everton. She then played a vital role in creating the second goal, with a solid cross to Clinton, and grew into the game to become hugely important to the hosts’ attacking force. Galton’s leadership qualities stood out before she came off injured the 73rd minute.
Elisabeth Terland – 5/10 – Wasteful on a couple of occasions in the first half, pretty anonymous throughout but at least made her presence known.
The Halfway Line Player of the Match: Leah Galton
Proved her worth if she hadn’t already in controlling the left-hand side for Manchester United. Assisted the second goal, which really did put this game to bed as the Toffees began to look defeated. Plays with attacking prowess and for the badge, showing passion as well as awareness both on and off the ball.
