Everton Women suffer disappointing 4-1 loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium | OneFootball

Everton Women suffered a disappointing 4-1 loss against Manchester United in their first-ever match at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday.

Honoka Hayashi became the first woman to score at the waterfront venue as a crowd of 18,154 celebrated the moment just after the first quarter. But what was a historic day for the Blues turned bittersweet as one of their former players, Jess Park, stole the show in the dying stages.

Despite Hayashi’s opener, the Blues were unable to hold on to the lead. Brian Sorensen’s side completely collapsed in the second half as Manchester United came roaring back.

Melvine Malard restored parity just after the hour mark, while an unfortunate own goal from Hikaru Kitagawa gave the visitors the lead. Jess Park scored twice in the space of five minutes late in the game to put Everton out of their misery.

Sorensen’s side are still searching for their first win since their opening-day demolition of Liverpool at the Anfield derby. They’ve lost four of their last five games and are currently 10th in the table with just four points.

Everton’s start to the match was slow as they allowed the visitors to carve out several big chances inside the first 10 minutes. Lisa Naalsund clipped an effort over the crossbar while Elisabeth Terland surprisingly headed wide from around two yards out. Fridolina Rolfö also tested the side netting during the opening stages.

The hosts capitalised on United’s squandered chances by taking the lead on the scoreboard soon after. Hayashi poked home after Yuka Momiki’s free-kick into the box fell to her path to score the first Women’s Super League goal at Bramley-Moore Dock.

Manchester United took control of the game once again with the introduction of Park from the bench. Malard raced on to Hinata Miyazawa’s through ball and scored on the rebound to cancel out Everton’s opener.

Malard also forced the second goal as her pressure on Kitagawa led the 28-year-old defender to inadvertently scuff the clearance into her own net.

Jess Park then took charge of the game in the final 10 minutes. She doubled the visitors’ advantage with a low, deflected shot past Ramsey and found the bottom corner from outside the box just a minute before the end to secure all three points.

Everton will now turn their attention towards Nottingham Forest in the second matchday of the Women’s League Cup at Goodison Park.