Leaders Man Utd held at home by Everton

Manchester United dropped points at the top of the Women’s Super League as they were held to a goalless draw by Everton at Leigh Sports Village.

England international Ella Toone hit the post in the second half after Lucia Garcia struck inches over the bar in the first half.

Everton’s Jess Park, on loan from Manchester City, almost caused an upset late on when she sliced wide after a period of intense pressure from United.

With rivals Chelsea taking on Tottenham later on Sunday, United will drop to second in the table should the Blues pick up a win over their London neighbours.

United punished for missed chances

This could prove to be a significant result in the title race as United did more than enough to pick up all three points but lacked ruthlessness.

Alessia Russo had dominated the headlines this week after United turned down two world-record bids from Arsenal to sign the England striker in the final 24 hours of the January transfer window.

But Russo, who poked wide a chance in the first half, was kept at bay by Everton’s brave defence.

Brian Sorensen’s Everton side were tested throughout as forwards Garcia and Russo and full-back Ona Batlle came close in the first half before an onslaught from United came in the second half.

Toone had the best of the chances when she was teed up by winger Leah Galton, only managing to clip the outside of the post.

United pushed up searching for a winner as a crowd of more than 5,000 grew more anxious and a few mistakes at the back almost allowed Everton to take a shock lead.

Park, who looked threatening whenever she got the ball, rounded goalkeeper Mary Earps after a mistake from Batlle but sliced it wide in a golden opportunity to put the Blues 1-0 up with time running out on the clock.

Everton continued to hang on as they threw their bodies in the way to block countless shots from United, with goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan putting in a strong display in the absence of on-loan United keeper Emily Ramsey, who was ineligible to face her parent club.

The result leaves the door open for United’s rivals in the title race, while it was another strong defensive display from an Everton side ever-improving under manager Sorensen.