Manchester United came from behind to win in convincing fashion as Everton were put to the sword 4-1 in the first Women's Super League fixture to take place at Hill Dickinson Stadium, largely thanks to goals by Melvine Malard and substitute Jess Park. The Toffees had taken the lead in the first half through Honoka Hayashi, but Malard equalised before Hikaru Kitagawa put through her own net to turn the game around. It would then be Park who sealed the day with two strikes off the bench.
United remain unbeaten and right on the coat-tails of Chelsea at the top of the WSL after the victory, which takes Marc Skinner's side to four victories and two draws from the opening weeks of the season. In front of a crowd of 18,154, United got the victory their overall performance deserved to follow up their win over Valerenga in their first-ever Women's Champions League match in midweek.
The Red Devils came out of the traps strongly and took the game to their hosts, Lisa Naalsund skying the ball over following smart play by Malard and Elisabeth Terland after mere seconds. The latter duo were a part of many of United's best moves in the first half, as they created chances at will but could not quite find a decisive opening goal. Fridolina Rolfo struck narrowly wide at the near post from Terland's cut-back, while the same pair switched roles but the Norwegian striker flashed a header across the face of goal.
Malard saw an acrobatic overhead kick deflected from close range, forcing the best from Emily Ramsey who reacted quickly to keep it out. Just minutes later, Everton had scored against the run of play at the other end. Anna Sandberg conceded a cheap free-kick and United defenders were slow to react when the delivery was punched clear, Hayashi stepping forward to power home the loose ball and open the scoring.
United threatened an equaliser just before the break, Terland and Ella Toone coming close but to no avail. It would ultimately be a slice of luck which got United level, as the ever-dangerous Malard got in behind but saw her initial shot saved, gratefully firing home the rebound. From then on, the visitors pushed for a winner.
Malard had a role in Hirakawa's unfortunate own goal, as the French striker put pressure on the full-back, who had already had a difficult day at the office and sliced the ball into her own net. Substitute Park would then have the final say with two goals from two Toone assists, the first thanks to another slice of luck from a deflection. But there was nothing lucky about her second goal and United's fourth, as Park whipped the ball into the bottom corner from outside the box to put the cherry on the cake of another statement victory.
GOAL rates Manchester United's players from Hill Dickinson Stadium…
Goalkeeper & Defence
Phallon Tullis-Joyce (6/10):
Had little to do on the day and will feel aggrieved not to have been given a foul for the Everton goal as she punched the ball clear under pressure.
Jayde Riviere (7/10):
Used her outstanding recovery speed to good effect to prevent Everton getting in behind on the right. Often spotted the runs of Malard early as she found acres of space down the right in the first half.
Maya Le Tissier (7/10):
The captain was typically composed and led at the back as her side came back to win, letting Everton have very little in terms of opportunities at the other end.
Dominique Janssen (6/10):
Comfortable in possession and assured at the back. Everton posed little attacking threat on the day, but that was due in part to United's reliable defensive unit.
Anna Sandberg (6/10):
Showed threat in attacking areas and was engrossed in an intriguing battle with Katie Robinson at the other end. Sandberg was booked for pulling back the winger and was substituted towards the end.
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Hinata Miyazawa (6/10):
Was dozing in the penalty area when her marker Hayashi reacted first and was allowed a free run to score. Made up for it with a classy assist for Malard's equaliser in the second half.
Lisa Naalsund (7/10):
Was a threat in the first half but found the finishing touch wanting on a couple of opportunities. Got into some great positions around the edge of the penalty area as the away side put their stamp on the game.
Ella Toone (7/10):
Grabbed two assists for Park late on as the England star continues to impact games for United. Though she made a slower start to the game, Toone came into her own late on as the Red Devils took the game away from their hosts.
Attack
Melvine Malard (8/10):
Continued her great goalscoring start to the season and was a thorn in the Everton side from the very first minute. Kept finding acres of space down the right and assisted several presentable chances on goal, giving Hikaru Kitagawa nightmares. Moved more centrally in the second period and found the net when given her biggest chance of the day.
Elisabeth Terland (7/10):
Was a threat in the first half and could have scored on a couple of occasions, particularly a header from close range which slipped wide. Got in behind to create chances for her team-mates, too, and was perhaps unfortunate to be withdrawn after just 51 minutes.
Fridolina Rolfo (6/10):
Had her moments down the left, while she found a central area to slide the ball just wide early on. Any of United's attacking players could have scored on the day.
Subs & Manager
Jess Park (8/10):
Scored twice in an emphatic substitute appearance to put the seal on a stunning victory for United. The first goal was slightly fortunate, but her second was pure quality from outside the box.
Gabby George (6/10):
Came on for Sandberg and ensured United shore things up at the back before Park single-handedly sealed the result.
Julia Zigiotti Olme (N/A):
Made a cameo for Naalsund and slotted seamlessly into the Red Devils midfield in the final stages.
Rachel Williams (N/A):
Replaced the outstanding Malard in the final stages.
Leah Galton (N/A):
Replaced Rolfo as Marc Skinner made a flurry of changes late on.
Marc Skinner (8/10):
His side came out of the traps early and stayed patient after Everton took an unexpected lead. His decision to bring on Park early in the second half paid off, and then some, and he rotated in midfield and attacking areas smartly late on.
