Toone: Manchester United Women must learn to control games better

The Red Devils took a point from Merseyside on Sunday, but the club’s No.7 felt it should have been more.
Manchester United winger Ella Toone. Credit: Getty.Manchester United winger Ella Toone. Credit: Getty.
Manchester United winger Ella Toone. Credit: Getty.

Simone Magill’s savvy second-half equaliser ensured Everton shared the points with Manchester United in a 1-1 draw on Women’s Football Weekend.

Martha Thomas fed Ella Toone who curled in the opener on 10 minutes as the Red Devils looked the stronger side during the first half at Walton Hall Park.

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But Everton settled after the break and a defensive error proved costly for the away side as substitute Magill pounced on the mistake.

Simone Magill grabbed an equaliser fro the Toffees. Credit: Getty.Simone Magill grabbed an equaliser fro the Toffees. Credit: Getty.
Simone Magill grabbed an equaliser fro the Toffees. Credit: Getty.

The Toffees picked up their first point under new manager Jean-Luc Vasseur, while United look ahead to league leaders Arsenal next weekend.

United pinned Everton in their own half in the early stages, pressure soon paying off as a sweeping move resulted in Thomas laying off to Toone, who curled her effort to the left of Sandy MacIver and into the back of the net.

A beautifully threaded ball from midfield by Kenza Dali fell perfectly into the path of Claire Emslie, who tried chipping past Mary Earps but landed the ball on the roof of the net.

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The home side grew into the game as the first half progressed.

Emslie, who started on the bench last weekend, proved the lynchpin to Everton’s attack and nearly equalised with a long-range effort that skimmed the crossbar just before half-time.

The Red Devils came close to doubling their lead when Thomas skied an effort over the bar, but Everton matched the visitors in the second half with a string of chances.

A mix-up in the United defence fell to Magill who bundled the ball through the legs of Earps, who had suffered an apparent injury moments earlier.

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Toone came close again, but the red-hot United striker couldn’t find the finishing touch before the final whistle.

Match reaction

Everton goalscorer Magill said: “I think we did so well to not go 2-0 down. We showed a lot of character today and dug really deep to get the equaliser and hold on and perform the way we did in the dying minutes. It showed a lot about us today.

“We were told to show confidence when we come on. Believe in yourself, believe in your ability and I came on with the instruction to chase everything down and stress them out and that is exactly how I got the goal.”

Manchester United goalscorer Toone said: “We knew we needed to start the game really well as we knew they would try and do the same. We worked hard off the ball and played some really good football. But we want to dominate for the whole 90 minutes not just the first-half so we’ll learn from their goal and go again.

Toone feels a lack of control cost Manchester United from claiming a win on Sunday. Credit: Getty.Toone feels a lack of control cost Manchester United from claiming a win on Sunday. Credit: Getty.
Toone feels a lack of control cost Manchester United from claiming a win on Sunday. Credit: Getty.
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“We need to control certain moments in the game and be better in both boxes. We could have been two or three up in the first-half.

“We go into every game wanting to get three points and we know we’re better than that. It does feel like a bit of a loss because again we’ve conceded quite late on.”

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