Ruthless City tear ‘dark horses’ apart

IT was a painfully familiar story for Everton in their opening WSL game against Manchester City. Tipped by many to be dark horses after an exciting transfer window, the Toffees suffered a 4-0 defeat at Goodison Park.

Willie Kirk’s side started strongly with Kenza Dali causing problems in the final third, but City grew into the game and in the 26th minute Vicky Losada gave them the lead.

City doubled their advantage in the 36th minute when Janine Beckie found the bottom corner and Khadija Shaw made it 3-0 two minutes later. Steph Houghton added a fourth with a free-kick in the 67th minute.

Everton failed to take any points off the four teams who finished above them last season and that will have to change if they are to mount a serious and sustained challenge this term.

‘We feel we’ve let ourselves down,’ a disappointed Kirk said after the game. ‘I think it was a really poor performance. We caused them problems in spells, but the spells weren’t long enough.’

City boss Gareth Taylor was extremely satisfied with his side’s performance. ‘The girls were excellent,’ he said. ‘We scored some goals with real quality.’

Elsewhere, newly-promoted Leicester were denied a dream start as Aston Villa came from behind to win. The Foxes were ahead at half-time thanks to Natasha Flint’s left-footed strike but two goals in two minutes turned the game on its head in the second half.

Sarah Mayling’s free-kick flew into the top right corner before Remi Allen finished off a team move to score the winner for Villa.

At Tottenham, Kit Graham scored the only goal as Spurs clinched a 1-0 victory over Birmingham. Graham headed in from five yards after a well-worked corner routine.