Everton Stun Manchester City in WSL Thriller, Shake Up Title Race
In a jaw-dropping turn of events, Everton pulled off one of the most shocking results of the Women’s Super League (WSL) season, defeating title contenders Manchester City 2-1 at Walton Hall on Sunday. The victory not only lifted Everton out of the relegation zone but also dealt a significant blow to City’s hopes of catching Chelsea in the title race.
For Manchester City, this was a missed opportunity to capitalize on Chelsea’s rare stumble. The reigning champions had dropped points for the first time this season in a 1-1 draw against Leicester City on Saturday. However, City’s failure to secure a win leaves them six points adrift of Chelsea, a gap that now feels like a mountain to climb.
Everton’s Historic Triumph
Heading into Sunday’s clash, Everton had never managed to take a single point off Manchester City in WSL history. But Brian Sørensen’s squad showed no signs of intimidation, coming out with energy and determination that set the tone for a thrilling first half. Everton’s relentless pressure paid off in the 31st minute when Sara Holmgaard delivered a perfectly placed ball into the penalty area. Lucy Hope rose to the occasion, guiding a header past City goalkeeper Khiara Keating to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
As the first half neared its conclusion, Everton doubled their advantage. Honoka Hayashi found space inside the box and unleashed a shot that deflected into the bottom-left corner, leaving City stunned and trailing 2-0 at halftime. The Walton Hall crowd erupted, sensing that something special was unfolding.
City’s Fightback Falls Short
Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor clearly had words for his team during the break, as they emerged for the second half with renewed urgency. City piled on the pressure, forcing Everton goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan into several key saves. Jill Roord and Lily Murphy both came close to finding the back of the net, but Everton’s defense held firm.
City finally got a lifeline in the 89th minute when Karoline Olesen brought down Yui Hasegawa in the box. Australian striker Mary Fowler stepped up and confidently converted the penalty, cutting the deficit to 2-1. The late goal set up a nervy finish, but Everton held their ground to secure a famous victory. The final whistle sparked jubilant celebrations from the home side, who had just rewritten their history against one of the league’s powerhouses.
Impact on the WSL Table
The loss couldn’t have come at a worse time for Manchester City. Not only did they fail to close the gap on Chelsea, but two of their rivals for Champions League qualification also picked up crucial wins. Arsenal defeated Liverpool, while Manchester United edged past Crystal Palace, leaving City’s position in the top three under serious threat.
Here’s how the WSL table looks after Sunday’s action:
- Chelsea: 1st place, six points clear of Manchester City
- Manchester City: 2nd place, struggling to keep pace
- Arsenal: Closing in on City after a win over Liverpool
- Manchester United: Level on points with Arsenal
Other Key Matches
At St Helens stadium, Arsenal’s Alessia Russo scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 victory over Liverpool. Russo’s first-half strike from a corner proved decisive, though Liverpool had their chances. Mariona Caldentey hit the post with a penalty, but Arsenal’s defense, under interim coach Renee Slegers, held firm. The win moves Arsenal to within one point of Manchester City in the WSL standings.
Liverpool coach Matt Beard had high praise for Slegers after the game, saying, “I hope Renee gets the job. She’s done a fantastic job. It’s night and day from Jonas’ Arsenal to what I’m seeing now, and you could just see that. I was speaking to the staff and some of the players, you can see they’re enjoying their football again.”
Meanwhile, Manchester United secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Crystal Palace in southeast London. Grace Clinton capitalized on a defensive error to score the game’s only goal, keeping United level on points with Arsenal in the race for Champions League qualification.
What’s Next?
For Everton, this victory could be a turning point in their season. Moving out of the relegation zone is a huge morale boost, and they’ll look to build on this momentum in the coming weeks. As for Manchester City, the pressure is mounting. With Chelsea pulling away at the top and Arsenal and United breathing down their necks, City will need to regroup quickly if they want to stay in the title race and secure a Champions League spot.
One thing is certain: the WSL title race just got a whole lot more interesting.
Originally Written by: Unknown
