Righto, that’s us done over here. But join Rob Smyth now for more Women’s Football Weekend fun.
Talking to his players, Marc Skinner looks aggravated and well he might. That game was there for his team, but a passive second half cost them.
As such, United stay fifth in the table, a point behind Brighton in fourth and two behind Spurs in third; Everton move above Reading into ninth.
Full-time: Everton 1-1 Man United
The home side will be ok with that, given they went behind and struggled to do much about it. United, on the other hand, will be raging with their inability to build on a fantastic opening goal and the equaliser they gifted.
Updated
90+3 min Here come United again – they’ve been better these last few minutes – and Galton does well, back to goal, to turn a pass into Blundell’s path. But MacIver is awake, collecting her cross comfortably, and that looks like being that.
90+1 min Sue Smith gives Dali player of the match, which I guess is fair enough – she’s been crucial in dragging Everton back into the game. I’d probably have gone for Toone, who’s been the best player on the pitch over the 90, but as I said, she was better in the first half than the second.
90 min There’ll be three added minutes.
90 min The corner misses everyone.
90 min Toone has played well today, even if she’s had a quiet second half, and with the game in the balance she cleverly wriggles space just outside the box, leathering another terrific shot that has MacIver flying across goal to shove behind.
89 min Ye’ve gottae score! Another good cross from Dali puts United under, and when Magill retrieves the ball, sending an even better one into the box, Duggan watches it all the way onto her laces, only to caress a weak shot straight at Earps.
88 min Dali has looked far more dangerous since pulling wide and she teases Blundell down the line, rolling studs over the ball. But Blundell keeps eyes on it, eventually bringing it away.
87 mi Bludell drives forward and infield from left-back – she’s been a threat when she goes forward – but she can’t decide whether to find Hanson, and is eventually crowded out.
86 min Duggan finds Dali down the right and she slings over another decent ball, but this time Thorisdottir takes no chances, clearing her lines immediately.
84 min But here come United with their first attack for a bit, Toone doing really well to manufacture space down the right before standing up a cross aimed at Zelem in the middle. She gets up well, but can’t get a meaningful header on the ball, which winds up going behind.
83 min But in the meantime, it’s Everton with the initiative, Dali thrashing high from 20 yards.
82 min United have struggled to get Russo on the ball this half – I’d like to see her given the 10 minutes through the middle, because she looks more likely than Galton and Hanson to make something happen.
82 min Another change for Everton, Emslie, who was good in the first half but has been quiet since the break, replaced by Bennison.
81 min That goal has changed everything – suddenly, Everton are playing with confidence and cohesion, though that might allow United to counter on them.
80 min Dali finds Duggan down the right and Earps does well to come and claim her cross confidently, given what just happened.
78 min Earps thought she had both hands on the ball and she did, but it wasn’t under control and I’d say Magill’s touch came as she clasped. I’d not be favouring defender and keeper in that situation, both of whom got what they deserved.
GOAL! Everton 1-1 Man United (Magill 76)
Eeeesh, this is a disaster for United! Thorisdottir gets her body between Magill and Earps as Earps chases a speculative long throw. But perhaps bothered by injury, Earps is slow and indecisive, getting hands to the ball but not solidly, so as she does that, Magill reaches around Thorisdottir to poke through her legs! The defender should’ve helped her keeper and cleared, I guess, which is to say this was an almighty ricket from both of them.
Updated
76 min Earps looks to have hurt herself so the physio comes on to treat her but she’ll be fine.
74 min Look what we’ve for you when we’re done here! Join Rob Smyth for all the buildup.
73 min The more time elapses, the more nervous United will get. They conceded late last week, and won’t be sure whether to hang onto what they have or look for more.
72 min Hanson does, though, look lively, even if she then shows too much of the ball to Turner, looking to sneak around her outside only to be easily robbed.
71 min Turner advances and finds Duggan down the left, but Hanson is wise to the ruse, stealing possession and driving forward, only to waste a decent situation with a shot dragged straight at MacIver.
70 min Excellent from Galton, harrying and hounding George, winning the ball ... only for the ref to appraise a foul.
69 min Ah, here come the Everton changes, Clinton and Magill replacing Graham and Gauvin.
68 min Nice from Galton, dashing infield and finding Russo, who moves it one more to Toone ... who lashes wide of the near post.
67 min On the other hand, those are good, proactive changes from Skinner: United are still on top, but something a little different will ask different questions of Everton and might help them find the clincher.
67 min I’m surprised Vesseur hasn’t made a change yet because his team remain second-best.
66 min Double change for United, Staniforth replacing Boe Risa and Hanson coming on for Thomas.
64 min Maier finds herself on the right wing and following a tussle with Zelem, the United captain is penalised – she needs to be careful. Meantime, Dali will send in a cross from just outside the box, right-hand side, but George can only head it high.
62 min This is better from Everton, finding Duggan at the far post, who pulls away then aims just inside what is now the near. But Batile deflects the shot behind and United get the corner away.
61 min United see the free-kick away but for maybe the first time in the game, Everton pen them in and Dali crosses well from the right, Thorisdottir extending a knee to send the ball behind.
60 min Now it’s Sevecke’s turn to stride forward and be encouraged to eat the grass, Zelem pulling her back then making sure with the trip. She too is booked.
59 min When Dali dallies on the ball, Blundell robs her, skating over halfway, so Sevecke introduces her to the grass and is booked.
58 min Christiansen’s been really quiet today, and when Dali finds her her attempted pass out to Graham, down the right, has too much on it. That is so careless.
56 min Lovely from United, Toone finding Galton, who takes a lovely touch away from George. They can’t make anything of it, but sustain the attack, Batile scavenging to mug Turner, by the by-line, then clipping to Thomas, who turns her close-range shot over the bar. I’m not sure how she got it so high from so near and that ought to have been 2-0.
54 min United allow a rare counter, Dali finding Turner, who crosses directly into Earps’ midriff. That’s such a waste.
Updated
53 min Toone moves so cleverly with the ball, a touch taking her into space and allowing her to waves by Dali and Graham. She then feeds Thomas, who tries to fade a cross at Russo, but MacIver collects.
52 min So far, the second half looks a lot like the first, United the more purposeful team but Everton staying in the game. And here they come again, Blundell finding Galton down the right, whose cross flies behind.
50 min Better from Everton, Graham sending Dali away down the the left, and I actually think her cross is deflected behind by Blundell, but the ref awards a goalkick.
49 min Russo picks up a loose ball and finds Batile, then takes it back and picks out Zelem, who tries a clever pass in behind that no one else reads.
47 min United attack down the right with Russo, and eventually the ball ends up with Batile, who crosses for Blundell at the far post ...where Maier does brilliantly to insert a head and send the ball behind. The flag then goes up for offside, but she didn’t know that, so the intervention was just as brave as it looked.
46 min No changes for either side, but Everton need to make some in terms of style – the gaps between their midfield and defence, and midfield and attack, are too big.
46 min We go again...
Back come our teams...
Also going on:
Half-time reading: this is really interesting and important.
Half-time: Everton 0-1 Man United
United have been much the better side, but haven’t created much, so there’s a route back into the game for Everton. Thing is, the more they look to throw players forward, the more they open themselves up the counter.
45 min There’ll be one added minute.
44 min Emslie has looked the player most likely to haul Everton back into this, but they’re relying on individual moments, whereas United look a nicely-grooved team.
Updated
43 min And here comes Emslie again, picking the ball up in a central position, driving forward, then clattering a rasper that screeches over Earps’ dive ... but clips the top of the bar! What a strike that was!
42 min Emslie’s had a decent half and she nashes down the left then slings over a cross that Gauvin attacks, but her flick is straight at Earps.
40 min Aaaarrrrggggghhhhhh! Graham does superbly, bustling by Blundell down the right and she’s got Gauvin in the middle! Her square-pass does the trick too, but Gauvin can only impart a small touch – a more emphatic connection and that’s 1-1. She looks extremely displeased with herself, and rightly so – ye’ve gottae score and all that.
Updated
38 min Zelem goes short to Thomas as Everton switch off, and when the return arrives she looks for Thorisdottir at the back post. But Maier is marking, so heads clear and the home side build again.
37 min Batile advances again, winning a corner down the right...
35 min United have got Everton’s measure here, Zelem and Boe Risa tidying up every time they look under pressure in central areas. And as I type that, there’s Galton wandering infield to foul Graham, who looked to have found space.
33 min And Zelem sends a decent ball to the near post, Thomas running across Gauvin at the near post to flick hard, and at the far, Mannion, her back to goal, tries to help it behind her into the far side-netting. But an infelicitous body-position means the ball strays just wide, and though Mannion is annoyed with herself, that was a good effort.
32 min So far, Duggan has only had five touches, the fewest of all 22 players. Conversely, Russo has had most and looks the best on the pitch, winning a corner off Turner as I type that, her cross blocked behind.
30 min Batile plays a one-two off Russo, running onto the return and clipping a cross at Thomas, who contorts to head, but can only send the ball wide.
29 min Everton have had more of the ball the last few minutes, but United still look the likelier scorers – ultimately, they’ve got the better attacking players. And here they are again, Zelem prompting outside the box before Galton’s cross runs behind.
28 min Maier advances down the right and crosses low, but Mannion is there and actually does pretty well to let the ball run - I’d not have fancied having to clear that one.
27 min If United win today, they’ll only be five points off the top, following yesterday’s north London derby. Spurs will be sick to have conceded a late equaliser – as United were when they scored one last week – but their improvement has been significant.
25 min It’s more of an even game now, but Everton are still struggling to threaten – though, as I write that, Turner curves a lush ball around Batile and Emslie, who looks the home side’s most likely source of something good, races onto it. Her cross isn’t bad either, except there’s no one gambling, running across the near post, allowing Earps to gather under nae pressure.
23 min Sevecke looks for Duggan, but Mannion is up too, crowding her out.
23 min Everton just can’t get anything going, but when Thorisdottir goes in the back of Gauvin, they’ll hump one into the box...
21 min ...but seeking Russo, peeling away at the far post, she puts too much on her cross.
19 min Marc Skinner and his staff look to have done a pretty decent job in inculcating the way they want United to play. They press in unison and move the ball about nicely, making good angles for each other. Anyway, a frustrated Christiansen leaves one on Galton and Zelem will curl the free-kick into the box...
18 min United are making it really difficult for Everton to play out, Dali and Turner arguing as they’re shut down again. But then Emslie targets Gauvin with a high ball, nipping inside Batile to create the space, but Earps rushes out to punch.
17 min Everton have been better these last few minutes, but as the goal showed, United are a serious threat on the counter. And as I type that, Russo brings the ball away again, pumping a cross towards the back post which MacIver collects well.
15 min And here they come now! Dali snaps a terrific pass in behind – Thorisdottir should cut it out really, but Emslie runs onto it and she’s in! The angle, though, is not in her favour, so as Earps advances, she tries a chip which floats just over the bar and onto the roof.
Updated
13 min United are searching for a second here, and rightly so – Everton won’t be this tepid for the full 90.
11 min United deserved that. They’ve started the game playing with confidence and tempo, forcing Everton to chase.
LOVELY GOAL! Everton 0-1 Man United (Toone 10)
United counter quickly, one tremendous pass from Blundell sending Russo away. She makes great ground then finds Thomas, who dips inside George then tees up Toone who, from the edge of the box, opens her body to punch-swerve a gorgeous finish inside the post, halfway up.
Updated
10 min Better from Everton, Emslie running at Batile then easing infield and flipping a terrific cross aimed for Duggan, but Mannion is up to clear.
8 min A bit of possession for Everton, but United have their measure at the moment, easily taking it back and moving it quickly through midfield. Toone looks to be in control of that area – she finds space so well.
7 min And here’s Thomas down the right, skipping around Turner and crossing low but to no one, then when United regain possession, Boe Risa drags a low shot just wide form outside the box.
Updated
6 min I’m a little surprised it’s Russo on the flank – she’s playing so well at the moment, I’d not want to change her, but would want her involved as often as possible.
5 min Everton look to play out from the back, but United press – words that look strange written down – so George heaves down the line. Duggan wins the flick-on, but there’s no one running in behind, and United clear up easily enough.
4 min United prompt again down the right, Batile finding Russo ... who’s gone too early, straying offside.
3 min But here come United again, Thomas – who’s playing through the middle today, with Russo on the right – crossing low, but no one is there to finish. This is a good start from United.
2 min United quickly win a free-kick down the right when Thomas is fouled, but Zelem drills the free-kick at the nearest defender.
1 min Pre-match, they played Grand Old Team, the Everton anthem. I wonder why they’ve not replaced “Everton boys” in the lyrics with something more appropriate.
1 min Away we go!
The teams take a knee. All black lives matter.
Updated
The teams have laid wreaths and the last post is now being played, after which there’ll be a minute’s silence.
Updated
It’s nice and sunny in Liverpool, which is more than can be said for north London. It looks a lovely day for football.
Here come the teams, Z Cars blasting out over the PA.
I missed this in the week, but apparently the return fixture will be at Old Trafford, which is great to hear. United took a decent contingent to Spurs last weekend, and Manchester’s appetite for football means that crowds should steadily increase.
United, though, have been poor at the back this season, conceding 10 times in six league games. They’ve got plenty of attacking threat – Russo, in particular, is a player – and I fancy them to find a way today.
I’m also interested to see how Toni Duggan gets on today. I totally get why Everton re-signed her, but can’t help but wonder if the game has passed her by a little. Obviously she can still play, but I’d be trepidatious about relying on her to score as many goals as Everton are probably hoping she’ll get.
In the studio, Stephen Warnock says he wants to see players running in behind, not just coming short for the ball, and Karen Carney identifies Emslie as the player Everton need to create for them. I’m also looking forward to seeing how Gauvin does making her first league start of the season – hopefully she’s fully fit.
Anyhow, Vesseur tells Sky that he’s looking for his best team and formation, but won’t know until after the game whether he’s made the right call.
Marc Skinner, meanwhile, says he’s brought in Thomas as she has a really good forward’s instinct in the box - he’s got wonderful creators, but wants someone to finish off the chances they create. He also likes Boe Risa’s midfield passing, and plans to build an attractive, sustainable, winning team who represent the fans and the city of Manchester.
There should be a really good level of desperation about this game because neither side can afford a defeat. There should be plenty of needle too.
As for United, Ladd and Hanson drop out – the former is, I think, injured as she’s not on the bench – with Boa Rise and Thomas coming in, the latter making her first start of the season.
Updated
As you’d expect, Vasseur makes changes as he gets to know his squad. At the back, Bjorn is replaced by Maier; in midfield, Graham comes in for Galli, while Bennison also drops out; and up front, Anvegard loses her place to Gauvin, while Emslie also plays.
Teams!
Everton (4-3-3): MacIver; Sevecke, Maier, George, Turner; Christiansen, Dali, Graham; Gauvin, Duggan, Emslie. Subs: Brosnan, Magill, Finnigan, Clinton, Bennison, Pattinson.
Man United (4-2-3-1): Earps; Batile, Mannion, Thorisdottir, Blundell; Zelem, Boe Risa; Thomas, Toone, Galton; Russo. Subs: Baggaley, Fuso, Hanson, Smith, Jones, Stanniforth.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to Women’s Football Weekend! It’s been a tricky start to the season for United, who made such huge strides during the last under the brilliant Casey Stoney. Sadly for all concerned, though, the club did not give her or her team the support they and the women’s game in general deserve, so rather than pushing for the title, which looked possible a year ago, they’re fighting to convince themselves a Champions League spot is within their ambit.
And if all that wasn’t enough, this time last week they looked to have held out for a crucial away win at third-placed Spurs, only to concede a 95th-minute equaliser, the kind of week-ruiner that can be hard to shake off. We shall see.
Everton, meanwhile, fancied themselves a top-three finish after adding Toni Duggan to a squad that already boasted a decent array of attacking talent. But they’ve made a miserable start to that bid, enduring bad beatings from Manchester City – twice – Chelsea and Arsenal, so changed manager, replacing Willie Kirk with Jean-Luc Vasseur. But the start he made was an inauspicious one and weekend’s home defeat to Brighton will have stung badly, meaning they, like United, are desperate for a result this afternoon.
Kick-off: 12.30pm GMT
Updated
