After bowing out of the Champions League in the first round, Manchester City joined the Continental Cup in the group stages of the competition.
With the Sky Blues playing host to Everton, Gareth Taylor was no doubt hoping for his team to replicate their earlier league meeting with the Toffees. The opening day clash saw City secure a comfortable 4-0 victory over Willie Kirk’s side.
Since then, however, last seasons league runners up have struggled to find their usual form, currently sitting in ninth place in the league.
Starting XI’s
Manchester City: Taieb, Greenwood, Coombs, Beckie, Hemp, White (c), Weir, Shaw, Walsh, Mace, Kennedy
Everton: Brosnan, Sevecke, Dali, Christiansen (c), Duggan, Gauvin, Finnigan, Maier, Galli, Clinton, Pattinson
How it all went down
With three points up for grabs, neither side went into the clash wanting to hold back.
Within the first eight minutes, Caroline Weir put the visitors into the lead. The Scottish international coolly ran through the Toffees’ defence before neatly passing the ball into the net.
Just two minutes later, however, Grace Clinton brought the game back level as Everton caught City on the restart. The following spell brought chances for both teams as Ellen White was unable to get the ball out from under her feet in front of an empty net.
Bunny Shaw then secured her sixth goal of the season in all competitions as she put the hosts back into the lead with City’s second of the evening. From there, Gareth Taylor’s team began to find their rhythm.
The second half saw the Sky Blues extend their lead with Lauren Hemp making it three for the hosts in the 74th. Jess Park followed this up, adding a fourth goal just five minutes later.
Captain White also got in on the scoring, adding a fifth in the final minute of normal time.
Stand out player
With three assists during the game, Janine Beckie was pivotal in everything Manchester City did.
Despite initially forming part of the back line, the Canadian international frequently mirrored Lauren Hemp’s run down the wings with the pair providing almost constant opportunities to the forwards in the box.
Even playing out of her usual position, Beckie handled her defensive duties with relative ease. Getting back from her more advanced position to provide cover in the back line when needed, Beckie allowed her team to press Everton higher up the pitch whilst still maintaining their defensive stability.
