Man Utd claim comeback win at Everton with Park double

Manchester United spoiled Everton's first Women's Super League game at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, maintaining their unbeaten start to the season with a battling victory.

Marc Skinner's side, who have won four and drawn two of their opening six WSL matches, had to come from behind in front of a crowd of 18,154.

Honoka Hayashi put Everton ahead against the run of play when she pounced on Phallon Tullis-Joyce's clearance at a corner.

It marked a historic moment as Everton's first WSL goal at the new stadium on Bramley-Moore Dock and stunned plenty inside the ground.

United, who had dominated and created numerous chances, were held by Everton until the 62nd minute when Melvine Malard eventually equalised.

The France international raced through one-on-one with goalkeeper Emily Ramsey and put away the rebound after her strike had initially been saved.

That gave United the boost they needed and they were rewarded for their efforts when Hikaru Kitagawa's own goal doubled their tally, before substitute Jess Park netted two late goals to finish Everton off.

The result was a welcome one for United as they put pressure on WSL leaders Chelsea in the title race with a two-point gap, while 10th-placed Everton are yet to win a game at either home stadium.

Everton analysis: Historic occasion ends on flat note

With 18,154 in attendance at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Everton had hoped to put on a show for their first WSL game on Bramley-Moore Dock.

Despite Goodison Park becoming their home for the season, they took advantage of the men's international break to play a rare match at the new stadium, fulfilling a seasonal request by the league to play at least one fixture there.

The usual Z Cars theme tune rang out before kick-off and flags from the Everton Women Supporters Club were brought across the city to hang proudly in the South Stand.

But it was not the explosive start they would have hoped for as Manchester United completely dominated possession in the opening stages and had three big chances before Everton had settled.

Goalkeeper Ramsey was called into action when Malard's cheeky overhead flick almost deflected in off Everton midfielder Karen Holmgaard. It followed a miscued header wide from Elisabeth Terland from an unmarked position just a few yards out and Lisa Naalsund firing wildly over the bar.

How United were not at least 2-0 up was a mystery, but Everton capitalised at their first opportunity on a set-piece.

Hayashi's goal rocked Skinner's side for the first half but, on the whole, it was not a performance that would have thrilled Everton supporters.

They lacked creativity and bite, often struggling to build momentum, and when United eventually found the equaliser through Malard, it felt like a matter of time before they would add more.

It only took eight minutes, courtesy of Kitagawa's unfortunate deflection, before Park's introduction made a difference and finished things off.

Everton remain a team who are learning to play with each other after a busy summer transfer window that saw the arrival of nine players and this was another demonstration of that.

Manchester United analysis: Park and Zigiotti make difference

It was a frustrating first half for United, who created their own problems through a lack of ruthlessness - an issue which has reared its head on numerous occasions in recent years.

Malard, Naalsund and Fridolina Rolfo all came close but squandered chances, while midfielder Ella Toone struggled to get into the game to have an impact.

Everton's lack of quality allowed United to continue to dominate and they were fortunate the substitutes for the hosts could not impact the second half.

In contrast, the introductions of midfielders Park and Julia Zigiotti made a massive difference for United, with the England international not afraid to shoot from outside the box and the Sweden midfielder oozing with composure and quality on the ball.

With Champions League football this season, United's squad depth is not deep. Their first-half performance was perhaps a reflection of this with only two changes made to the midweek side that overcame Valerenga.

But United's start to the season could not have gone any smoother and they will be pleased with a hard-earned victory to keep them in the title hunt.

What's next for these teams?

Everton return to Goodison Park where they will host Nottingham Forest in a Women's League Cup Group A tie on Sunday, 19 October (14:00 BST).

Manchester United travel to Spain to face Atletico Madrid in the Women's Champions League on Thursday, 16 October (17:45 BST) and are back in WSL action at Brighton on 2 November (12:00 GMT).

Head here to get involved