Grace Clinton fires Manchester United to victory at Everton

Manchester United made it two wins from their opening two Women’s Super League matches with a 1-0 victory at Everton.

A mistake at the back allowed Grace Clinton to fire the visitors into a fourth-minute lead and neither side was able to capitalise on a handful of chances before the break.

The contest had yet to find its flow by the time both bosses introduced a trio of second-half substitutes just after the hour, with United’s Melvine Malard coming closest to a second goal.

Victory sees United draw level on six points with defending champions Chelsea, who have the better goal difference after beating Crystal Palace 7-0 on Friday night.

The Toffees had an early chance through an inswinging corner, tipped over the crossbar by Phallon Tullis-Joyce.

United took the lead shortly afterwards after a mistake at the back by Justine Vanhaevermaet allowed Clinton to pounce.

Megan Finnigan rushed in from the right in an attempt to stop the chance, but it proved too late as Clinton skipped around the Everton captain and fired the opener into the top-left corner.

Everton goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan was alert to Ella Toone’s deflected effort, while at the other end, Karoline Olesen came close to an equaliser and it took a timely intervention to prevent Inma Gabarro’s volley from a corner on the line.

Gabarro tried again with the rebound, but the Spaniard’s day was done after she fell awkwardly following a challenge near the advertising boards.

She received lengthy treatment for an apparent leg injury before leaving the field on a stretcher to be replaced by Veatriki Sarri in the 14th minute.

The rhythm remained staccato after the restart, when Tullis-Joyce punched away Elise Stenevik’s free-kick and Brosnan saved an effort from distance after United worked their way into the Toffees penalty area but emerged empty-handed.

Elisabeth Terland was next to try her luck, curling a weak effort to make easy work for Brosnan.

United had the first real opportunity of the second half when substitute Malard directed a header wide from a difficult position.

Both sides were running out of time to make a difference, and it was the visitors who looked likelier to do so.

Dominique Janssen sent a dipping free-kick just over the bar and it took an excellent intervention by Vanhaevermaet to clear substitute Hinata Miyazawa’s sharp effort off the line.

Both keepers were called into swift responses to deny late efforts. Tullis-Joyce saved a volleyed attempt from an Everton free-kick, then Brosnan denied Malard the opportunity to extend United’s winning tally.