Manchester United may see their Continental Cup run as a missed opportunity as their 4-2 win over Everton showed they could have a squad capable of challenging on multiple fronts.
In a busy first half, the hosts found themselves 4-0 up after just 27 minutes with Vilde Boe Risa netting two either side of Rachel Williams' strike after 12 minutes. Jess Park gave the visitors hope but it was shortlived as Jade Moore extended United's lead and allowed them to control the game with Karen Holmgaard's injury-time goal nothing more than a consolation.
Within the first minute of play, Boe Risa headed the ball in the back of the net, it came from another Ona Batlle cross on the right flank to start the game in United’s favour. Williams found the net minutes later after Lucia Garcia pulled back a low ball for the 34-year-old to place it out of goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan’s reach.
Boe Risa's first touch finish gave United a three-goal lead within 20 minutes of open play, Martha Thomas’s work down the right flank produced a perfectly placed cross to hand Boe Risa her second of the game.
United's goal tally was capped off by Moore, she got on the end of a cross in the chaos of the Blue’s back post in response to Park’s goal - a misread ball from goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley gave Park an open target, she couldn’t miss and there was nothing Baggaley could’ve done.
Marc Skinner’s side played with a strong energy and press in the first half but was let down at times with easy turnover of possession - Lucia Garcia ran herself into trouble and the back four lacked organisation at times which gave Everton some opportunities to look dangerous in the second 45. They looked penned into their own half as the visitors held United to goalless second half and netted a late goal themselves from a scrambled box in stoppage time.
United now begin the countdown the Manchester derby at the Etihad stadium on Sunday 11th December, kicking off at 12.30pm and available to watch via the BBC.
