Manchester United Women saw off Everton 2-0 at Walton Hall Park in the League Cup.
Marc Skinner made six changes to the side that started against Leicester in the league last weekend. Anna Sandberg was introduced for her first start for the club while Emma Watson made her debut after she suffered an anterior-cruciate ligament (ACL) injury which ruled her out of last season. Academy graduate Jess Simpson came on in the second half to enjoy her first-team bow too, another Red returning from an ACL problem.
The sub-zero temperatures didn't faze United as we launched wave after wave of attack at Everton and fought to be first to every ball. A first-half own goal by Courtney Brosnan gifted a dominant United the lead before captain Maya Le Tissier's second-half rocket found the top corner to give the Reds a bit of security.
The sub-zero temperatures didn't faze United as we launched wave after wave of attack at Everton and fought to be first to every ball. A first-half own goal by Courtney Brosnan gifted a dominant United the lead before captain Maya Le Tissier's second-half rocket found the top corner to give the Reds a bit of security.
FIRST HALF - REDS IMPRESS
The opening five minutes were promising for United, with a flurry of corners putting pressure on the hosts, while Hinata Miyazawa got the first shot on goal but it was caught by Brosnan.
Everton enjoyed playing out from the back but United were prepared for that and employed a high press which yielded some good results. There were early chances for Melvine Malard and Miyazawa as Skinner's side took control.
United took the lead in the 15th minute but there was confusion as to whether it was a goal or not and who had scored it. The corner was floated in by Hayley Ladd and, as Brosnan looked to claim, she spilled the ball and it was bundled over the line. The referee hesitated, but the goal was eventually awarded as an own goal, given against the Everton goalkeeper.
The opening five minutes were promising for United, with a flurry of corners putting pressure on the hosts, while Hinata Miyazawa got the first shot on goal but it was caught by Brosnan.
Everton enjoyed playing out from the back but United were prepared for that and employed a high press which yielded some good results. There were early chances for Melvine Malard and Miyazawa as Skinner's side took control.
United took the lead in the 15th minute but there was confusion as to whether it was a goal or not and who had scored it. The corner was floated in by Hayley Ladd and, as Brosnan looked to claim, she spilled the ball and it was bundled over the line. The referee hesitated, but the goal was eventually awarded as an own goal, given against the Everton goalkeeper.
Having gone in front, United put extensive pressure on the Everton goal. Sandberg was a bright spark, making good runs down the left and providing plenty of attacking opportunities for her team-mates.
Hayley Ladd thought she had doubled United's lead just after Sandberg picked out Rachel Williams on the edge of the box. The forward, with her back to goal, laid the ball off to Ladd who shot first time against the crossbar, before it was eventually cleared away by the Toffees.
Despite United's dominance in this first half, Everton did have their chances in the final 10 minutes. Toni Payne got the better of Millie Turner and was almost one-on-one with Phallon Tullis-Joyce, but the referee deemed her efforts to get in on goal a foul. That was before a free-kick given away by Geyse just outside the area provided an opportunity for Veatriki Sarri to equalise but her shot was wide.
Hayley Ladd thought she had doubled United's lead just after Sandberg picked out Rachel Williams on the edge of the box. The forward, with her back to goal, laid the ball off to Ladd who shot first time against the crossbar, before it was eventually cleared away by the Toffees.
Despite United's dominance in this first half, Everton did have their chances in the final 10 minutes. Toni Payne got the better of Millie Turner and was almost one-on-one with Phallon Tullis-Joyce, but the referee deemed her efforts to get in on goal a foul. That was before a free-kick given away by Geyse just outside the area provided an opportunity for Veatriki Sarri to equalise but her shot was wide.
SECOND HALF - JOB DONE
After the break, Everton sat deep and made it harder for the Reds to break them down. Despite that, United were still able to create, as we pushed to extend our narrow advantage.
A lovely cross came in towards Malard, who was waiting at the back post, but the French forward's goalward header appeared to strike the arm of Everton's Emma Bissell, with any appeals for a penalty turned down before the hosts cleared the danger.
Skinner's side had to keep our shape and remain patient as we tried to break the hosts down again. A driving shot from Ladd was straight at Brosnan and Williams had a header that went wide.
Malard hard freedom down the left and caused the Toffees problems throughout the evening. She delivered a juicy cross but it was turned behind by the Everton defence. Moments later, she darted into the box and took a shot as Everton failed to clear the ball but it flew over the bar.
A second killer goal arrived in the 77th minute. Watson chased down a ball that looked destined to be going out and won her team a corner. It was delivered into the box and headed away, but only as far as captain Le Tissier, who controlled it with her chest before volleying home in spectacular fashion.
The Reds managed the remainder of the game well afterwards, in front of a strong travelling contingent on a cold evening in Merseyside, to make it two wins from two in the League Cup.
A second killer goal arrived in the 77th minute. Watson chased down a ball that looked destined to be going out and won her team a corner. It was delivered into the box and headed away, but only as far as captain Le Tissier, who controlled it with her chest before volleying home in spectacular fashion.
The Reds managed the remainder of the game well afterwards, in front of a strong travelling contingent on a cold evening in Merseyside, to make it two wins from two in the League Cup.
MATCH DETAILS
Everton: Brosnan; Bissell, Hobson, Finnegan, Holmgaard (Cole 75), Hope; Lawley (Jones 88), Olesen (Settle 88), Hayashi (Deaville 88), Sarri; Payne (Thomas 64).
Unused substitutes: Ramsey, Foster.
United: Tullis-Joyce; Riviere (Bizet 60), Le Tissier, Turner (Janssen 46), Sandberg (Simpson 60); Watson, Ladd, Miyazawa; Geyse (Awujo 70), Williams (Galton 71), Malard.
Unused substitutes: Middleton-Patel, Clinton.
Goals: Brosnan (og) 15, Le Tissier 77.
Booked: Geyse, Miyazawa.
Everton: Brosnan; Bissell, Hobson, Finnegan, Holmgaard (Cole 75), Hope; Lawley (Jones 88), Olesen (Settle 88), Hayashi (Deaville 88), Sarri; Payne (Thomas 64).
Unused substitutes: Ramsey, Foster.
United: Tullis-Joyce; Riviere (Bizet 60), Le Tissier, Turner (Janssen 46), Sandberg (Simpson 60); Watson, Ladd, Miyazawa; Geyse (Awujo 70), Williams (Galton 71), Malard.
Unused substitutes: Middleton-Patel, Clinton.
Goals: Brosnan (og) 15, Le Tissier 77.
Booked: Geyse, Miyazawa.