Manchester City Women showed their title credentials as the earned a hard-fought victory over Everton at Goodison Park. Vivianne Miedema and Bunny Shaw scored the goals either side of a Kelly Gago goal to send the Blues above Chelsea at the WSL summit.
With the champions drawing 1-1 at Arsenal on Saturday to go two points clear, Andree Jeglertz’ side knew victory on the blue half of Merseyside, would send City one point clear at the top.
It was a hard-fought victory, which City had to do without the
services of Alex Greenwood, with the captain out injured for a ‘short period of time,’ according to Jeglertz. However, the Blues were able to welcome back Rebecca Knaak to the side, while Sydney Lohmann, Grace Clinton and Lauren Hemp all returned from injury to feature at Goodison.
City started the match in typical fashion, pinning their hosts back in their own half and probing for a way past the defence. Bunny Shaw, usually so lethal in front of goal, fired against the keeper when left completely unmarked as City dominated the opening stages.
Everton, who are mid-table and haven’t won a match since the opening day of the season, had no answer to City’s quick passing and intricate play, and it was no surprise when the Blues took the lead after just 21 minutes. Iman Beney, who has impressed since her summer move the the Joie Stadium, split the Everton defence and Miedema ran onto the through ball, shrugged off the challenge of the defender and calmly slotted home.
It was no more than City deserved, but Everton pressed the Blues in a statement that said if you want to go top, you’re gonna have to earn it. The home side pushed forward at every opportunity and Yamashita in the City goal pulled off a smart save to keep the score at 1-0.
But there was little she could do about the equaliser that came five minutes before the break. A long ball over the top found Toni Payne in behind the City defence. Her cross was a little behind Gago, but the striker adapted brilliantly to flick her heel at the ball, which outfoxed Yamashita and made it 1-1.
City had to up their game in the second-half and both sides had their chances to score, but it was the Blues who took theirs. Bunny Shaw, who had earlier seen a turn and shot whistle agonisingly past the post, rose highest in the Everton penalty area to thump the ball into the top corner and put City back in front.
Leila Ouahabi found herself in a lot of space on the City left and her first time cross was planted onto the head of Shaw, who guided it into the top corner.
That should have spurred City on to get a few more, but instead, Everton came closest to scoring, hitting the post and later forcing Yamashita into another good save as the home side tried to rescue a point.
And the Blues were able to give their supporters a great sight as Lauren Hemp replaced Beney on 61 minutes for her first match since limping away during the 5-1 victory over Spurs. Grace Clinton and Sydney Lohmann were also able to enter the fray with nine minutes remaining to give the new league leaders a major boost.
Final score: Everton Women 1-2 Manchester City Women
