Man City go top of WSL with victory over Everton

Manchester City boosted their Women's Super League title hopes as they moved top of the table with a hard-fought victory over Everton.

Chelsea dropped points on Saturday when they conceded a late equaliser against Arsenal, and City capitalised with a tenacious performance at Goodison Park to leapfrog the six-time defending WSL champions.

Vivianne Miedema gave visitors the lead in the 21st minute, but Kelly Gago wiped out that advantage when she skilfully flicked Toni Payne's cross past a dumbfounded Ayaka Yamashita.

Khadija Shaw restored the visitors' lead in the 55th minute, leaping above Rion Ishikawa to head home Leila Ouahabi's delivery.

The Toffees pushed hard in search of a second equaliser and City had the woodwork to thank for denying a long-range effort by Ornella Vignola, while Yamashita made a fine save from Hikaru Kitagawa.

Victory was City's seventh in a row and moved Andree Jeglertz's side a point clear of second-placed Chelsea.

Everton, meanwhile, drop to 10th and are just four points above West Ham in the relegation play-off zone.

Analysis: Man City battle hard to boost title hopes

Khadija Shaw has scored five goals in the WSL this season

With Chelsea dropping points a day earlier, City knew Sunday's trip to Goodison was a golden opportunity to take control of the title race.

City have improved under Jeglertz, but after battling to a narrow victory over West Ham last weekend, they were made to fight hard again for all three points against Everton.

Jeglertz's team started brilliantly - playing free-flowing football - and Miedema opened the scoring by calmly slotting past Emily Ramsey after running on to a superb through ball from summer signing Iman Beney.

As Everton grew in confidence thanks to Gago's equaliser, Shaw missed several opportunities before pouncing with a header that proved decisive.

Despite looking brittle in defence at times, City found a way to win and boost their bid for a first WSL title since 2016 - although Jeglertz will be well aware the season is still in its early stages.

Analysis: Positives for Everton as Gago impresses

With their winless run in the WSL stretching to seven games, things are looking bleak for Everton on the surface.

Yet there were plenty of positives for Brian Sorensen in a narrow defeat by the league leaders - particularly the resurgence of Gago.

The France striker was Everton's joint-top scorer in the WSL last season despite only joining from French side Nantes in January.

Her opportunities have been limited this season, with Sorensen opting to start her in just three of their eight league games so far.

But after a slow start, Gago is starting to find her form.

Against Villa last weekend she opened the scoring with her first goal of the season - a stoppage-time equaliser as Everton fought back for a 3-3 draw.

Her leveller against City was exquisite as she deftly flicked Payne's cross around Yamashita, who she had already forced into a fine save with a bullet header.

What next for these teams?

City will be in derby action on Saturday, 15 November when they host Manchester United at Etihad Stadium (13:30 GMT).

Everton, meanwhile, travel to the capital to face West Ham on 16 November at 12:00 GMT.

Head here to get involved