Houghton Scores Winner As Blues Win Again At Everton

Captain Steph Houghton scored a 7^th minute winner as Manchester City won at Everton for the second time this weekend. Houghton scored the only goal of the game when the blues were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Everton area following a foul on Caroline Weir.

In abysmal conditions at Haig Avenue, the blues were in control right from the start and had opportunities to increase the lead. Pauline Bremer flicked the ball past the Everton defence and raced into the area, only to be beaten by the pitch as the ball stopped dead in a pool of water. Bremer hit the ground, but the referee never considered pointing to the spot.

Bremer had another chance after a charging run by Demi Stokes found the striker on the edge for the box. The City Striker dug the ball out from under her feet and the water to curl a shot towards goal, but was denied a fingertip save by keeper Korpela onto the post, before the keeper clutched the ball gratefully before it crossed the line.

Janine Beckie was sent clear at the start of the second half, but pulled her shot wide of the post and was almost made to pay for that miss when Chloe Kelly struck the ball from the edge of the City box, the ball whistling wide of the post.

City continued to press and Bremer should have put City out of sight in the second half, but just couldn’t find the target. And the striker was fortunate that Everton missed an opportunity to equalise in injury time. Everton piled everyone, even the keeper, into the penalty area for a corner, which was met by the head of Lucy Graham which was cleared off the line.

Janine Beckie had another opportunity to put the match to bed moments later, but fired against the keeper. That proved to be the last action of the match which saw City maintain their 100%record so far this season and are only behind champions Arsenal on goal difference.

Final Score: Everton 0-1 Manchester City