Everton hold Manchester United to goalless WSL draw at Goodison Park

Everton and Manchester United drew 0-0 at Goodison Park in the Women’s Super League, with neither side able to turn their opportunities into a winning goal. The Guardian reported that United struggled to test home goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan for much of the match before creating more pressure in the closing stages. The result left United fourth and Everton sixth in the table.

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The draw took United to 12 points from eight matches, four behind third-placed London City Lionesses, who had played seven. Everton reached 10 points, remaining two behind their opponents rather than moving above them into fourth. Scott Phelan’s side also climbed above Arsenal, who were due to play on Sunday. It was Everton’s first league draw of the campaign after three wins and four defeats.

Everton had the better of the opening half, with Rosa van Gool and Yuka Momiki combining effectively in midfield. Former United full-back Hannah Blundell threatened with a left-footed effort towards the top corner, but Phallon Tullis-Joyce saved. The United goalkeeper also held shots from Ornella Vignola either side of half-time, although both efforts were directed straight at her.

United offered relatively little in attack before the interval. Andrea Medina had a shot blocked inside the Everton penalty area, and Jess Park then sent an effort over the bar. Everton’s control in midfield and organised defending limited the visitors, who had won away against the Merseyside club in each of the previous four seasons but could not reproduce that result this time.

The visitors improved after Simi Awujo came on and eventually forced Brosnan into an important save. Park’s through ball released Elisabeth Terland for a close-range strike, but the Everton goalkeeper kept it out. Terland had scored five WSL goals against Everton before this meeting, yet the late chance did not produce another as the hosts protected their clean sheet.

Everton remain without a victory in all 15 of their WSL meetings with United, although this point rewarded a performance in which they frustrated the visitors for long periods. For Eva Olid’s United, the draw followed a 3-0 home victory over second-tier Burnley in the Players Cup on Wednesday, but their return to league action brought no breakthrough at Goodison.