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Manchester United made their way to Walton Hall Park Stadium to face Everton in the Women’s League Cup on Wednesday evening.
Marc Skinner made several personnel changes, with many players who took part in the win against Leicester City last weekend being handed a rest.
Phallon Tullis-Joyce started in goal with a defensive four of Jayde Riviere, Maya Le Tissier, Millie Turner and Anna Sandberg ahead of her.
Hayley Ladd, Hinata Miyazawa and Emma Watson formed the midfield trio. Rachel Williams was tasked with leading the line and was flanked on either side by Geyse and Melvine Malard.
United started very well, pinning Everton back into their own half. The Reds appeared to be fully aware of Everton’s desire to play out from the back and they tried to force mistakes out of them by pressing aggressively – an approach that paid dividends.
Malard had a chance to shed first blood after Williams showed great strength to hold on to the ball before sending her through on goal. Malard attempted to find the near post with a clever effort but she dragged her shot wide.
United continued to search for ways to break down Everton’s stubborn defence, with Sandberg in particular proving lethal.
The summer signing combined well with Malard down the left and the pair looked to make things happen. Geyse and Riviere were also brilliant on the opposite side.
United finally got a reward for their efforts after around 15 minutes of play. Ladd sent in a good cross from a corner kick, which proved too difficult for Courtney Brosnan to bring under her spell. The Everton goalkeeper came under pressure from Malard and Williams and could only send the ball into the back of her own net.
Malard came close to doubling United’s lead as she connected with a brilliant cross from Sandberg after they were awarded a free-kick. On yet another occasion, Malard couldn’t hit the target.
Ladd, who was dominant in midfield, also fired a powerful shot from outside the box but she was thwarted by the crossbar. It seemed like Brosnan got a slight touch to keep it from flying in.
Everton’s forays into United territory were few and far between each other. Their most threatening moment of the opening 45 minutes came when Toni Payne almost capitalised on some poor communication from Turner and Le Tissier but she was judged to have committed a foul.
Right before the break, the hosts were given a free kick in a promising position but Veatriki Sarri sent it well and truly over the bar and did not at all trouble Tullis-Joyce.
United picked up where they left off when the second period kicked off. They maintained their dominance, barely giving the Toffees a way out.
Around the 54th minute, Williams showcased excellent ball control, holding up play before threading a pass to Geyse. The skillful Brazilian forward delivered a cross, and in Everton’s attempt to clear, the ball fell to Ladd. However, her shot lacked power and was comfortably gathered by Brosnan.
A few moments later, Malard also sent in a cross from the left aiming for Williams, but the United striker couldn’t rise high enough to direct the ball on target.
Skinner brought in Celin Bizet and Jess Simpson in place of Riviere and Sandberg, who was sensational on her first competitive start for the club.
Bizet nearly made an instant impact when she delivered a cross into the far post but Williams couldn’t connect with it.
Malard was once again presented with a golden opportunity to get on the score sheet after some pitiful defending from the Toffees inside the box but her shot was wild and flew high.
United turned the screws on their hosts and this time, it was Watson who had a crack at goal but Brosnan was equal to the task and saved it.
Skinner made more changes, thrusting Leah Galton and Simi Awujo into the action. Williams and Geyse were taken off.
The substitutes contributed, helping to get United over the line. Galton nearly got on the score sheet when she produced an incredible touch and turn but her shot struck an Everton defender for the corner. Awujo injected energy and impetus into the midfield, although the final ball was lacking.
After multiple missed opportunities, United finally extended their lead courtesy of Le Tissier, who volleyed in the ball from a corner routine. There was another late chance for Malard but Brosnan saved her shot.
The victory has left United at the summit of Group A, having won all two of their games. Even better is that the Reds have now won two consecutive matches, which will bode well for the team’s confidence as they prepare for Sunday’s showdown WSL clash with Chelsea.
Featured image Jess Hornby via Getty Images
