Scott Phelan had mixed emotions after Everton Women’s winning run in the WSL came to a cruel end thanks to a last-gasp Melvine Malard goal at Progress with Unity Stadium.
Elisabeth Terland had given Manchester United the lead in the first half, only for the battling Blues to have their fightback rewarded as substitute Inma Gabarro levelled proceedings in the last minute of normal time.
But the draw the Toffees deserved was not to be as Marc Skinner’s side struck with the last header of the game to lift
the Red Devils into second place above Chelsea.
And a reflective Phelan explained a mixture of emotions after experiencing his first league defeat since taking the Goodison hotset.
“It’s a mixture of emotions, really. We are definitely disappointed, more to do with the manner of the goal and the timing of the goal, which made it worse,” he said.
“But that would feel a lot worse if we didn’t show a positive reaction, especially in the second half.
“The fight, personality and bravery got us some momentum in the game, and when we scored it wasn’t a massive surprise.
“Then you think we are coming home with something, maybe deservedly based on the second half but not so much on the first, to lose on a set piece with the last head of the game, that is disappointing and it hurts.”
Issy Hobson was the only change in the starting XI, the academy graduate replacing Hannah Blundell, who was ineligible to face her parent club.
United began on the front foot and looked to make their control count, but Julia Zigiotti failed to find the target after meeting Maya Le Tissier’s ball cross on 15 minutes.
The Toffees held firm but were grateful Terland squandered an opportunity when the striker dragged her placed effort wide of Courtney Brosnan’s goal.
But Everton failed to heed the warnings and were to be punished by the Norwegian, who opened the scoring on 38 minutes from close range, after Ruby Mace did well to block her initial effort.
With his side behind at the break and a cagey start to the second half, Phelan introduced Melissa Lawley and Gabarro for Yuka Momiki and Toni Payne on the hour mark.
Skinner’s side were still in charge, but had a scare when Zara Kramžar towered above the United backline to meet Maz Pacheco’s inviting ball from the right, but the Slovenian international could not keep her header down.
That would be Kramžar’s final contribution as she made way for last week’s matchwinner Kelly Gago, as Phelan sensed a change in tempo.
However it would be the two other changes that would combine in the 90th minute, as Gabarro met Lawley’s cross to head past Phallon Tullis-Joyce in front of the travelling fans.
And what seemed to be the last twist of the game was proved to be wrong as Malard rose highest to head home a corner in the dying seconds of the game in what was a cruel way to end both the game and Everton Women’s winning run in the WSL.
The Toffees may have the perfect tonic for that disappointment next week when they welcome Merseyside rivals Liverpool return to Goodison Park on Saturday, 28 March, at 12pm GMT (7am ET, 4am PT).
