Key events
Half-time: Manchester United 0-1 Everton
The visitors have the advantage at the break.
45+1 min: Everton have a free kick in a dangerous area. Galli sends it into the box but the ball somehow creeps through at least six players and out for a goal kick.
We’re into two minutes of added time.
42 min: Big chance for Manchester United as Geyse wins the ball from Stenevik in a dangerous area. The Brazilian drives into the box and attempts a shot from close range, but Brosnan makes a fantastic save.
This battle between Geyse and Stenevik has been brilliant to watch so far!
41 min: This has been a great first-half performance from Everton. The visitors have managed to frustrate Manchester United, making it difficult for them in possession, especially in midfield.
39 min: Geyse works her way into the box but Stenevik manages to make the tackle and draw a foul from the United winger.
37 min: United have a corner. Toone crosses the ball into the box and finds Turner, who heads it towards goal. Her effort is directed off-target, Le Tissier attempts to deflect it towards goal but can’t get there.
34 min: Toone receives the ball in midfield and finds García on the left, who looks to cut inside. Wheeler is there to intercept, sending it out for a corner. The first set-piece is sent straight into the box and out again for another corner, but the second is passed short to Parris. The striker plays it back out to García, who looks to cross it into the penalty area, but Everton win a free kick following a foul from Turner.
31 min: United have a corner which is sent into the box by Zelem. Brosnan manages to catch the ball on her line before colliding with the post. She appeals to the referee for a foul by claiming she was pushed, but nothing is given.
28 min: Manchester United look to move forward as Geyse makes a run into the box. She receives the ball but is dispossessed by Finnigan. Everton look to clear but it only goes as far as Toone, who travels back into the penalty area. The midfielder goes for the cross but it is intercepted and the ball goes behind for a corner.
Zelem steps up to take and crosses it into the box, but Brosnan is there to claim.
25 min: A poor touch from Naalsund sees the ball intercepted by Kühl, who looks to make a run into the box. However, the midfielder’s touch is far too heavy and Le Tissier can win back possession and make the clearance.
22 min: Everton almost capitalise on another Manchester United error! This time, Earps’ pass out from the back is intercepted by Snoeijs. The striker sets it to Kühl, who goes for goal but her shot flies past the post. A big let-off for the hosts.
20 min: Stenevik goes to ground following a challenge from Geyse and Everton win a free kick in midfield, which is played backwards. Luckily for the visitors, the 24-year-old is able to continue.
17 min: Toone receives the ball in midfield before travelling forward and unleashing an audacious shot from distance, which flies well over the target.
Mannion then wins possession on the halfway line following the goal-kick. She plays it to Geyse, who makes a rapid run forward before shooting, but Finnigan makes the interception.
16 min: A win today would be absolutely huge for the visitors. Brian Sørensen’s side have been excellent so far.
14 min: Earps was absolutely furious with that defensive error, and understandably so. No fault of the goalkeeper, just sloppy from the players in front of her.
11 min: It’s a howler from United! Turner passes the ball to Le Tissier in defence, who looks to play it back to Earps but her pass is far too short and Snoeijs intercepts before slotting into an empty net. Advantage Everton.
GOAL! Manchester United 0-1 Everton (Snoeijs, 10)
A huge error from Le Tissier is punished by Snoeijs! Everton take the lead!
7 min: Everton head straight to the other end of the pitch and Kühl goes for goal from distance, firing her shot just wide. Not a bad effort from the midfielder.
6 min: First chance of the game as Wheeler’s heavy touch falls straight to Naalsund, who passes the ball to Parris. The striker goes for goal but her effort flies wide.
3 min: Toone sends the ball out to Geyse on the right, who looks to cut inside but Finnigan lunges in to make the tackle and it runs out for a corner. Nothing comes of the set piece as Everton can clear.
1 min: Everton kick off the game by sending the ball long to Kühl, but Mannion is there to clear it. A bit of a scrappy opening minute as both teams find their feet.
Kick-off
We’re in for a cracking (Easter pun intended) afternoon here at Leigh Sports Village!
The teams are out and we’re just a few minutes away from kick-off! Don’t forget you can message in at any time with your thoughts on the game.
Elsewhere in the WSL this weekend
Arsenal, Chelsea, Bristol and Tottenham are not in WSL action this weekend due to the Continental Cup final, which takes place tomorrow.
Sarina Wiegman named her latest 23-woman squad this week ahead of England’s upcoming Euro 2025 qualifiers against Sweden and the Republic of Ireland. Captain Leah Williamson returns to the squad following her recent injury setback.
Manchester United stars Mary Earps, Millie Turner and Ella Toone have all been included, while Maya Le Tissier, Katie Zelem and Nikita Parris miss out.
England fans, what are your thoughts? Are there any omissions that deserved to be included? And how do you think the Lionesses will fare in qualifying? Feel free to send me a message!
If Manchester United win or draw this afternoon, they will move back above Liverpool in the WSL table. Marc Skinner’s side slipped down to fifth last weekend for the first time this season following Saturday’s defeat to Manchester City.
As for Everton, a win today will see them move above both Leicester and Brighton up to eighth in the table.
Marc Skinner has made one change to the line-up that started against Manchester City last weekend, with Aoife Mannion replacing Jayde Riviere in defence.
Meanwhile, Elise Stenevik returns for Everton following her one-match suspension.
Team news
Manchester United starting XI: Mary Earps; Maya Le Tissier, Millie Turner, Aoife Mannion, Hannah Blundell; Katie Zelem (C), Lisa Naalsund, Ella Toone; Lucía García, Nikita Parris, Geyse. Substitutes: Phallon Tullis-Joyce, Gemma Evans, Evie Rabjohn, Leah Galton, Irene Guerrero, Hayley Ladd, Hinata Miyazawa, Melvine Malard, Rachel Williams.
Everton starting XI: Courtney Brosnan; Aurora Galli, Justine Vanhaevermaet, Megan Finnigan (C), Elise Stenevik; Kathrine Kühl, Heather Payne, Clare Wheeler, Hanna Bennison, Lucy Hope; Katja Snoeijs. Substitutes: Emily Ramsey, Katrine Veje, Toni Duggan, Emma Bissell, Eleanor Dale, Martina Piemonte, Sara Holmgaard, Karen Holmgaard, Isabella Hobson.
Preamble
Hello hello and welcome to coverage of this afternoon’s WSL clash between Manchester United and Everton. Both teams were unsatisfied with their respective results last weekend. United fell to a 3-1 defeat to neighbours Manchester City while Everton were held to a 0-0 draw by Merseyside rivals Liverpool. Marc Skinner’s side faced further disappointment when they slipped down to fifth in the league table for the first time this season.
Everton have scored the fewest goals in the WSL this season (14) but they gave Liverpool quite the fright in the latter stages of last Sunday’s match. Brian Sørensen’s team will feel they can get a result today against a Manchester United side that is very low in confidence.
Kick off is at 12pm BST – don’t miss it!