WSL Match Report: United Women 3 Everton 1

FIRST HALF

After an entrance onto the Old Trafford turf to remember, the Reds had to respond to an early setback that was not in the perfect script. The visitors’ Kenza Dali set Emslie away down the right flank, with the latter driving into the box and powering into the bottom left corner to open the scoring just four minutes in. 

Backed by the shouts of a strong home crowd in M16, Skinner’s side searched out an instant response attacking the East Stand. Captain Zelem looked to lead by example, flighting a ball just wide of the target before Russo, who pressed high to win the ball back, saw her following low effort gathered in the centre of the goal by Toffees goalkeeper Sandy MacIver. 

United’s best attempt at a leveller in the opening half hour then came via Martha Thomas. The Scotland international, who netted in the League Cup meeting between the sides back in December, connected on the volley with a well-worked short corner from the right but it was saved by MacIver with Leah Galton’s rebound charged down at short range. 

The Reds’ persistence paid off in the 35th minute however, when a deserved equaliser arrived. Jackie Groenen slipped Ona Batlle into the right channel, with the Spaniard’s cross picking out Russo, whose looping header beat the goalkeeper and found the net to level the scores. 

As the first half came to a close, both sides were continuing to look to edge in front ahead of the break. First, Hannah Blundell saw a shot blocked for United, before Everton midfielder and skipper Izzy Christiansen curled just over the crossbar at the other end, with referee Helen Conley’s half-time whistle going soon after.