Everton Women 2-1 Man City Women: Gareth Taylor's side miss chance to close on Chelsea in WSL title race

Depleted Manchester City failed to close the gap to Women's Super League leaders Chelsea in the title race after being stunned by Everton 2-1.

Gareth Taylor's side had the chance to reduce the deficit to three points after Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw with Leicester this weekend but failed to capitalise, with injuries to key players taking a significant toll.

Captain Alex Greenwood was stretchered off in midweek, while Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp were also notable absentees, as Man City struggled for rhythm and fluidity.

Everton were tactically smarter than their visitors, willing to soak up pressure and concede possession, picking their moments to attack - which were brief but purposeful - and scoring twice in eight first-half minutes.

Sara Holmgaard teased a cross for Lucy Hope to head beyond Khiara Keating, before Melissa Lawley powered down the right to tee up Honoka Hayashi and she swept home via a deflection.

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Man City attempted a late response when Yui Hasegawa won a penalty, despatched calmly by Mary Fowler, but resilient Everton held on for a historic win - their first over City in 17 attempts.

Chelsea remain the WSL's front-runners, leading the way with 28 points, with Man City six adrift in second.

Taylor hints at fatigue and bemoans injuries

Man City manager Gareth Taylor via mancity.com:

"It is disappointing. We were a bit flat and looked like a team who had played a few games recently.

"We didn't seem to have a lot of energy. We controlled large parts but in the first half especially we gave away too many counter-attacks. We suffered a bit with Everton having chances and they made the most of them.

"Any team would miss Viv [Miedema], Alex [Greenwood], Bunny Shaw, it's tough for us no doubt, I'm sure they'd have a big say but it is what it is."

Man City need their walking wounded back and fast

Analysis by Richard Morgan:

Gareth Taylor referenced his side's missing stars as a reason for their shock 2-1 loss at Everton and the Man City boss will be desperate to get back to fitness if they are to have any chance of catching WSL champions Chelsea at the top of the standings.

City would have expected to see off an Everton team who had won just once in the league prior to kick-off, and who had never got the better of their opponents in the WSL, but City were without the injured Alex Greenwood, top-scorer Khadija Shaw, Lauren Hemp and Vivianne Miedema.

"Any team would miss Viv [Miedema], Alex [Greenwood], Bunny Shaw, it's tough for us no doubt, I'm sure they'd have a big say but it is what it is," said Taylor after the game and while he is right in that the first three are arguably their most influential players, the visitors still produced a flat display that may concern him more.

Which is why after they face a key Champions League clash at Barcelona on Wednesday, Taylor will no doubt be glad for the midseason winter break so he can get some of his walking wounded back, with Shaw hoping to be available again when they return to league action in the Manchester derby at the Etihad on January 19.

Story of the game in stats

What's next?

• Everton Women fixtures
• Man City Women fixtures
• WSL fixtures

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