Everton 1-4 Manchester City: Shaw’s hat-trick sends City to second as they claim victory over Everton

Brian Sørensen’s Everton side played host to Manchester City in this afternoon’s clash at Walton Hall Park. The Blues were still searching for their first victory at home in the 2023/24 campaign, whilst their opponents in Manchester City looked to continue their formidable form.

EVE: Brosnan; Bjorn, Wheeler, Bennison, Sorensen, Piemonte, Payne, Finnigan, Galli, Holmgaard, Snoeijs.

MCI: Keating; Aleixandri, Greenwood, Casparij, Ouahabi, Hasegawa, Roord, Coombs, Kelly, Hemp, Shaw.

Both sides looked hungry from the outset at Walton Hall Park. Gareth Taylor’s Citizens were given the opportunity to take an early advantage, with a mistimed challenge seeing Lauren Hemp brought down in the area and awarded a penalty. Courtney Brosnan stepped up with confidence though, as the Republic of Ireland number one denied Khadija Shaw’s low strike from the spot.

Brosnan’s rapture was short lived, with Shaw finding herself unmarked on the edge of the area just seconds later. Never missing twice, the City striker expertly chipped the goalkeeper situated off her line, opening the scoresheet for the visitors in the ninth minute of play.

Manchester City marched on in scintillating form – the Sky Blues working to easily frustrate a disorganised Toffees defence. It was Chloe Kelly’s turn to test the Everton back line, though the English international’s strike from distance was easily collected by an awaiting Brosnan inside of the area.

The 22nd minute saw City double their advantage, as Shaw drove her strike past a stretching Brosnan and into the bottom left corner. Denying Everton the opportunity to collect their composure, the Citizens swiftly found their third. Kelly expertly weaved through a disorganised defence to find the feet of Jill Roord, advancing inside the area. The Dutch international left no room for error, hitting home Manchester City’s third of the afternoon.

The Toffees worked to chip away at the piling deficit, as Hannah Bennison tested her luck from the edge of the area. Her strike took a deflection on its journey, making Khiara Keating’s job a simple one as she collected the strike with ease.

Manchester City continued their possessive dominance throughout the second half, taking charge of the tempo as play re-commenced on Merseyside. The tides momentarily shifted when Aurora Galli provided Sørensen’s Blues with a confidence boost in the 58th minute – the Italian international striking the top corner with brilliance from outside the area, giving the Toffees their first of the afternoon.

Despite maintaining what was still a comfortable lead, Manchester City’s hunger failed to waver. Laura Coombs sought to add her name to the scoresheet, with her long-range strike only narrowly denied by the woodwork. Just moments later, the Walton Hall Park crowd were audience to another episode of the Khadija Shaw show, as the striker’s lunging header awarded her an away day hat-trick.

The scoresheet remained unchanged as the clock ran down at Walton Hall Park, with Manchester City claiming comfortable victory over the home side. The loss means that Everton are still searching for a victory at home in their 2023/24 campaign, with Sørensen’s Blues still remaining in seventh position in the league table.

Gareth Taylor’s side will travel back to Manchester in glee, as today’s victory on Merseyside sees the Citizens leapfrog into second place in the Barclays Women’s Super League table.