Everton Women began their Continental Cup campaign with a 2-1 home defeat to Manchester City in Group B. A late header from striker Toni Duggan reducing the deficit for the Blue’s.
Former Everton loanee Jess Park and prolific WSL striker Bunny Shaw scored the two goals that gave City the edge to win the game.
Alyssa Aherne made her first start for the club as Brian Sørensen made 5 changes to the team that were defeated in the previous Women’s Super League fixture at the King Power against Leicester City.
It was an extremely challenging fixture for the Toffee’s, against such a strong and distinguished team. Jess Park opened the scoring after a great run of play down the right hand side by Bunny Shaw.
Just after the restart of play, Bunny Shaw put Manchester City 2-0 up. She latched onto the ball after the Blue’s were caught out by Mary Fowler when trying to play the ball out from the back.
Everton came close to getting a goal back late on in the second half. Irish international, Heather Payne, drove into the box and crossed the ball to Lucy Hope at the back post. However, former Everton goalkeeper Sandy MacIver managed to use her leg to block the shot.
Toni Duggan was the player to get the goal for the Toffee’s, scoring a header in injury time. Her first goal for Everton since coming back from maternity leave and her first goal since March 2022.
A disappointing result for the Blue’s, they’re still yet to win a game in their 23/24 campaign. On a positive note, we got to see Alyssa Aherne in action, an extremely skilful player and full of pace as well. I look forward to seeing more of her over this season.
Everton Women are back in WSL action at Anfield this weekend, when they face Liverpool in the first Merseyside Derby of the season. Kick off is at 4.30 pm on Sunday the 15th of October. It is also live on Sky Sports.
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