WHAT HAPPENED
We all-but secured Women’s Champions League football for the 2021/22 season on Sunday, with Kim Little converting a stoppage-time penalty to beat Everton 2-1.
We’ve now won each of our last nine fixtures across all competitions and can head into the final game of the season knowing that Manchester United will need to overturn a goal difference of 27 to pip us to third place.
As for team news, Caitlin Foord kept her place as our centre forward with Vivianne Miedema operating as a No 10, while Lia Walti replaced Lotte Wubben-Moy at the heart of our defence.
We placed the Toffees under pressure straight from kick-off and following a number of searching balls behind their defence, Katie McCabe raced in behind to chip the onrushing Alexandra MacIver for her fourth league goal of the season.
It was a deserved lead for our first-half efforts, and following the restart, Beth Mead came close to doubling our advantage after firing into the side netting from a promising position.
We continued to dominate possession, but with a sweeping counter-attack Everton were able to break free down the wing and cross for Megan Finnigan, who equalised against the run of play.
As we entered stoppage time it looked like our hopes of Women’s Champions League football would go down to the final game of the season - but with one last attack, McCabe charged into the penalty area and forced a foul, leaving the referee with no other choice than to point to the spot.
Our captain stepped up and with the final kick of the game, fired a stunning effort into the top right corner.
WHAT IT MEANS
WHAT’S NEXT
Up next, we will face Aston Villa on Sunday, May 9.
The game will take place at Meadow Park with kick-off at 2.30pm (UK time).
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