Manchester United secured their first win in this season's Continental Cup as their goal-filled first half was enough to beat Everton 4-2 at Leigh Sports Village on Wednesday evening.
Vilde Boe Risa set the hosts on their way with her first goal coming just one minute into the tie before she doubled her tally 19 minutes later. Rachel Williams scored her second of the season in the middle of Boe Risa's brace and Jade Moore got on the end of a corner kick to provide the hosts with a four-goal lead after just 27 minutes.
Even though Jess Park capitalised on a loose ball in the first half to get one for the visitors, United were never in trouble with Karen Holmgaard injury-time strike nothing more than a consolation.
Marc Skinner’s side played with a strong energy and press but was let down at times with easy turnover of possession and the back four lacked organisation at times which gave Everton some opportunities to look dangerous in the second half. The hosts looked penned into their own half as the visitors held United to a stalemate.
Player ratings.
Sophie Baggaley - Claimed the ball confidently in the air in a crowded area, and was fast to react to shots on goal, although a completely misread ball gave Jess Park an open goal to score Everton’s consolation goal. The second goal was a scramble in the box that rolled over the line, not much she could've done. 6
Ona Batlle © - Worthy of the captaincy, her energy throughout the entire game was clinical and professional. She worked hard on both sides of the pitch and although slight she commanded the game, and always looked stoic, focused and in control . 9
Maria Thorisdottir - Saw her on both the left and right back position covering Batlle and dealt with the ball confidently showing versatility. She stood up against Agnes Beever-Jones and got the better of her defensively. 7
Jade Moore - Commanded the middle of the park sitting just in front of the back four. She was always available and aligned herself ready for the second ball. her goal secured United’s fourth in the first half from a scramble in the Everton box. Came off at halftime . 8
Vilde Boe Risa - Scored the early goal, a confident header within a minute of the whistle and then netted her second 20 minutes later. She chased down every ball working box to box, fantastic work ethic which was rewarded by scoring her first goals of the season. 9
Martha Thomas - She provided the lovely weighted cross for the third goal, and her work rate coming deep to get behind the ball even though she's playing an attacking role resembled Ella Toone’s performance at Old Trafford. 8
Lucia Garcia - Happy to be on the ball, she took on a lot of blue shirts dancing around them. She also chased in every attacking ball down the left flank which allowed Rachel Williams to double their lead. Her speed was unmatched but then overran the ball with too many touches at times. 7
Aissatou Tounkara - Her first touch spun off over her own goal and looked to be outmuscled by the opponents early on when man-marking, but very confident in the air. Her clearances were not of similar quality to the rest of the back line. 6
Millie Turner - Everton got the better of the left flank more so than the right so perhaps more organising was needed on her side. Made a big tackle and then retaliated with a second giving away a free kick on the edge of the area. Came off at halftime. 6
Rachel Williams - Playing off the last defender and was rewarded early for chasing down every ball with Vilde Boe Risa applying a lot of pressure for their back line to deal with initiating defence from the front. 7
Lucy Staniforth - She covered the middle of the park well, picking up runners but was also able to spin with quick touches for the counterattack instead of lobbing the ball down the field, although her through balls down the right flank to Martha Thomas to run onto provided were weighted perfectly - clinical distribution. 8
