Manchester United came from behind to beat Everton in their first match of the Women’s Super League at Old Trafford in front of fans. Claire Emslie took Everton to the lead with a superb finish in front of a 20,241 WSL crowd that was high for the season. Alessia Russo equalized with a header before Captain Katie Zelem made it 2-1 from the penalty spot. Russo added a third with another header – its ninth goal in the WSL this season – to seal three crucial points. The victory keeps Marc Skinner’s United on track to win the top three and a place in next season’s Champions League. With four games left, they are three points ahead of fourth-placed Manchester City, who have one game in the middle. This was the second time United have hosted a WSL match at Old Trafford, but last season’s 2-0 win over West Ham was closed to the public due to the coronavirus pandemic. A carnival atmosphere prevailed on the ground on Sunday as thousands of fans took advantage of the reduced ticket prices to watch the team at the famous venue. Everton’s Claire Emsley celebrates giving Everton the lead at Old Trafford Scottish striker Emsley silenced the home side’s support with a shocking end to the fourth minute, after United were knocked down in a counterattack. However, United soon settled in and Rousseau’s header from Ona Butle’s cross made it 1-1 in the 35th minute before Zellem put United in front for the first time from the spot after Lucy Graham substituted a foul on Martha Thomas. It was a fairytale moment for Manchester-born Zhelem, who, when she was young, used to wave the Champions League banner in the main circle at Old Trafford when the men’s team left for a European night. Now the England midfielder can add scoring in front of Stratford End to her CV. Forward Rousseau completed the victory with her second six minutes.
Lining up
Women Man Utd
4-2-3-1 formation 27 Ears 17Batle Pascual12Land3Thorisdotir6Blundel 10 Zelem14 Greens 9Thomas7Toone11Galton 23 Russian
27 Ears 17 Paschal Battle 12 lad 3ThorisdottirBooked in 14 minutes 6 Bludel 10 Zelem 14 Groenen changed for Murat in 82 ‘ 9 Thomas changed for Hansonat in 72 ‘ 7 Toone Substitution for Risaat in 89 ‘ 11 Galton 23 Russian Substitution for Brownat in 89 ‘
Alternates
2 Thanks 4Mour 8 Ρίσα 16 Coffee 18 Hanson 24 Jones 32 Baggaley
Everton women
Formation 5-4-1 1 MacIver 3Turner5Björn20Finnigan6George30Pattinson 11Emslie22Galli8Christiansen7Dali 9 Dagan
1 MacIver 3 Turner 5th Bjorn Substitution for Grahamat in 45 ‘ 20 Finigan 6 GeorgeReservation at 49 minutes 30 Pattinson 11 Emsli 22 Galli 8 Christiansen 7 Daly replaces Benisonath in 70 ‘ 9 Dagan changed Magilat to 68 ‘
Alternates
10 Magill 13 Gauvin 17 Graham 18 Brosnan May 21 26 Clinton 28 Benison 31 Weir
