From Leigh Sports Village – Manchester United dropped points in the WSL for just the third time this season after being held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Everton.
The Red Devils, who will now see Chelsea go back above them at the top of the table, probably did enough to win on balance but saw a number of chances go begging throughout the game. Everton also deserve credit for hanging on and keeping a clean sheet against a side they have conceded seven against already this season.
Marc Skinner’s side have made a habit of starting home games fast this season, particularly at Leigh. Yet Everton threatened to make it interesting right from the off when a flicked header from defender Rikke Sevecke was a little too close for comfort, missing the far post.
That moment seemed to give United a splash in the face. Although Everton continued to work hard, half chances were coming from the hosts. A tame Hayley Ladd shot and a deflected Leah Galton cross were both collected by Everton goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan.
In her first appearance since multiple world record bids from Arsenal were turned down, Alessia Russo was playing with energy and determination, clearly unfazed by the events of the last week.
United were still being kept at bay as half-time neared, although Ona Batlle’s just too high effort from the edge of the box after a short corner had Brosnan more than a little worried.
In a flurry of late chances, Lucia Garcia struck the bar after being played in on the right, while Ladd and Russo each had great opportunities that missed to the left and right respectively that would have given Brosnan no chance had they been on target.
United started the second half the way they finished the first and Ella Toone had struck the base of the post only moments after the restart after Galton cut in from the left and laid the ball off. Hannah Blundell should then have done much better in acres of space on the left with a shot on her stronger right foot that went straight at the grateful Brosnan.
Having seen a number of United shots miss the target, Brosnan reacted instinctively to somehow keep out a Katie Zelem volley from the centre of the penalty. Moments later, Ladd couldn’t set her feet and a poor shot squirmed over the bar as Galton knocked it to her in space 10 yards out.
One of Everton’s first clear sights of goal since the early stages came with under 20 minutes left to play as Batlle’s miscued back-pass gave Jess Park the chance to round Mary Earps, but the…
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