Casey Stoney’s side showed class at Walton Park where the Red Devils had a solid performance, winning 2-0 against Everton.
With goals from Ella Toone and Christen Press in the first 45, Manchester United got another victory on Sunday afternoon. Toone put the guests ahead already after nine minutes and Press made sure that her side could go into the break with a 2-0 lead just before halftime.
How the teams lined up
Everton with a 4-3-3 formation:
McIver (GK), Wold, Finnigan, Sevecke, Turner, Christiansen, Scott, Graham, Raso (Lehmann 56′), Gauvin (Emslie 72′), Sörensen
Manchester United with a 4-2-3-1 formation:
Earps (GK), Smith, A.Turner, M. Turner, Batlle, Zelem (Sigsworth 66′), Ladd, Toone, Groenen, Galton (James 81′), Press (Hanson 80′)
Story of the game
It was a hard cross from Leah Galton, that made way for Ella Toone’s goal nine minutes in. McIver couldn’t grab a hold of the ball and the rebound was easily taken care of by Toone.
Everton had a hard time to create anything dangerous in front of Mary Earps in the first half and instead, it was United that yet again should be fortunate in front of goal. Just before the break, Christen Press made an excellent run into the box and tapped the ball into goal coming from an assist signed Hayley Ladd.
Although the Toffees had most of the possession in the second half, they never really threatened United. Unlike last season’s same fixture, Everton could not muster any goals.
What the statistics said:
Everton 0-2 Manchester United
Shots (OT): 8 (3) – 8 (6)
Possession %: 59 – 41
Duels won %: 43 – 57
Aerial duels won %: 56 – 44
Total passes: 524 – 380
Passing accuracy %: 79 – 68
Tackles won %: 69 – 76
Fouls: 11 – 3
Source: @NWSLAnalitica on Twitter with stats from Opta
Takeaways
Jill Scott, who has made a return to Everton on loan for the rest of the season, played the full 90 minutes. She showed her class when trying to set up her new teammates with long and accurate passes down the flank. When Alisha Lehmann, also a new reinforcement for the Toffees, came on after 56 minutes she made an instant impact. The Swiss brought energy on to the field and made effortless runs down the wing in order to try and make things happen for Everton.
Another player that stood out, was Denmark international and centre-back Rikke Sevecke. The Dane did her first full 90 minutes after being out due to an injury since December. She was the best passer of the game with 85.7% passing accuracy (66/77).
United’s performance was solid all throughout the 90 minutes but someone who stood out, yet again, was Spaniard Ona Batlle. She won all her duels 13/13 and had a passing accuracy of 85% (34/40) while controlling her left side by stopping most of Everton’s attempts to attack from there. Batlle also attempted six tackles, winning five.
What’s ahead
Both teams are hosts in their games next weekend. Everton welcome Birmingham to Walton Park and Manchester United take on Reading at Leigh Sports Village.
United beat Reading away (2-1) in the first half of the season.
Everton’s game against Birmingham has been postponed two times, with the first back in December and the second time only last week.
