REPORT| Manchester United Women 2-0 Everton Women

01/04/2025

Sienna Hughes

Everton fell to a harsh 2-0 defeat against Manchester United at Leigh Sports Village in the WSL.

Despite a strong start from the visitors, Dominique Janssen put the Toffees on the back foot after a rare error from Courtney Brosnan gifted her a golden opportunity to open the scoring.

Grace Clinton made an Everton comeback seem even more difficult in the second half, clinically turning in Leah Galton’s threatening cross from close range just minutes after the restart.

It was Everton however, who began the brightest as Katja Snoeijs found the back of the net inside two minutes, only for the ball to be disallowed after a controversial handball decision.

The first 20 minutes promised a competitive contest, with chances for both sides.

Brosnan produced a save to deny Elisabeth Terland from close range, before Phallon Tullis-Joyce responded at the other end to stop Toni Payne’s effort from the edge of the area.

Everton looked to have the edge in a lively first half, with Kelly Gago forcing a reactive save from Tullis-Joyce after connecting with Sara Holmgaard’s dropping corner.

But in the 22^nd minute, the Toffees were dealt a blow as their strong start against the Champions League contenders was undone. An uncharacteristic error from Brosnan saw the Irish International spill what should have been a routine catch, and after a goal-line clearance, the ball fell to Janssen, who had an empty net to strike into from close range.

A quieter spell followed, with chances few and far between for either side.

Approaching the break, Brosnan redeemed herself with a brilliant, parrying away a low strike from Celin Bizet Ildhusøy.

Everton had little time to settle after the restart, as Clinton doubled United’s lead shortly after, turning in Galton’s dangerous cross across the face of goal, to give the hosts a comfortable cushion.

From here, the sting seemed to fade from the contest, with the Toffees struggling to recover the momentum that had seen them dominate the early stages.

As the match neared its end, Brosnan produced another excellent stop in added time to deny Malvine Malard from adding a third for the hosts.

The result sees Manchester United head into the international break sitting third in the table, strengthening their push for a Champions League spot. Meanwhile, Everton remain in eighth, aiming to regroup and respond when league action resumes.