Karen Holmgaard headed home from identical twin Sara's cross to secure a point for Everton at Manchester City
Identical twins Karen and Sara Holmgaard combined for the Everton goal as they held hosts Manchester City to a 1-1 draw in the Women's Super League at Joie Stadium.
Kerstin Casparij opened the scoring for City in the 13th minute, bundling in Lily Murphy's header after getting to the ball ahead of Everton keeper Emily Ramsey.
The Dutch full-back celebrated by holding up a City shirt with Mary Fowler's name on the back following her team-mate's recent ACL injury.
But Everton entered the break on level terms thanks to a link-up between the 26-year-old Holmgaard twins.
Karen, who started a WSL game for the first time this season season, leapt highest at the back post to head home Sara's lofted delivery and the pair ran straight to each other and celebrated together joyfully.
The Danish sisters nearly replicated their goal in the second half, but Karen could not keep her header down.
Champions League football already looked out of reach for City before Sunday's fixture, but their draw means Manchester United need just three points from their remaining three games to guarantee a top-three finish.
Everton, meanwhile, remain eighth - level on points with West Ham in seventh.
"This was a game where we really needed to concentrate and I think we did really well," Everton boss Brian Sorensen said after the game.
"At the end we could have nicked something but perhaps that would have been unfair. We take a point every day of the week.
"We have three games that are surely winnable for us and we are looking to end the season as high as we can."
City's disappointing season continues in drab draw
Kirsten Casparij dedicated her goal to Mary Fowler after her ACL injury
Fowler was the latest player to join City's extensive injury list, with her fellow forwards Vivianne Miedema, Lauren Hemp, Aoba Fujino and Khadija Shaw all currently ruled out.
In their absence, Kerolin Nicoli was deployed as a lone striker and the Brazilian constantly threatened Everton's goal with her pace and tricky feet in the first half.
After providing the cross in the build-up to City's opener, she had a tame effort saved by Ramsey before blazing over the bar from close range.
But Everton, who were without key striker Kelly Gago, slowly grew into the game and Karen Holmgaard pounced on her sister's cross to head into an empty net after keeper Khiara Keating had left her goalline and failed to collect.
Kerolin's presence dwindled in the second half and City, although they dominated possession, could not find a way through a resilient Everton backline.
Casparij looped a header on to the roof of the net, while Ramsey parried away an effort from Kerolin and caught a fierce strike from Jess Park.
It has been a disappointing return to City for interim boss Nick Cushing, who has won just two his seven games in charge and been knocked out of both domestic cup competitions, and the Champions League, since replacing the Gareth Taylor last month.
Cushing said the draw was a "missed opportunity" after United dropped points in a goalless draw against West Ham on Saturday.
"Manchester United opened the door a little bit for us, but I also knew it wasn't going to be as simple as that today with the condition of the team and options from the bench," Cushing said.
"The second goal was really important and we didn't find it. It ended up being the difference between one point and three points."
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