FAWSL 2019/20: Manchester United Women vs Everton Women – tactical analysis

The ninth fixture of the FAWSL saw a top of the table clash between Manchester City Women and Chelsea Women but while the two battled it out, Manchester United Women quietly got on with business. The Red Devils hosted fifth-place Everton in a game that would try to close the gap to third-placed Manchester City.

The Red Devils have made a good start to the season even though they now have a record of five wins and four losses. Their losses have been close defeats to the current top three by one-goal margins. Having beaten Everton in the Cup last month, United would have been considered as favourites for the tie. Everton, however, have won three out of their last five games and are well placed in fifth.

This tactical analysis will elaborate and discuss the tactics of both teams and try to dissect the Manchester United Women’s 3-1 win over Everton Women.

Team News & Lineups

Casey Stoney made two changes to her side’s win over West Ham with Jessica Sigsworth and Lauren James coming in to replace Kirsty Hanson and Jane Ross. Stoney lined up her side in her usual 4-2-3-1 formation. This system has been tried and tested and one the players are accustomed to and teams have found it increasingly difficult to beat and break down.

Everton also lined up in a 4-2-3-1 system making one change with central defender Kika van Es being replaced by Gabrielle George. The rest of the team was unchanged from their impressive 3-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur.

Manchester United Women: Earps; Turner, McManus, Turner, Harris; Zelem, Ladd; Sigsworth, Groenen, Galton; James

Everton Women: Korpela; Morgan, Finnigan, George, Turner; Graham, Clemaron; Kelly, Pike, Kaagman; Magill

Tactical Analysis  Everton Women’s build-up & press

Willie Kirk’s side began the game in quick fashion by playing a high tempo game from the start. The Blues were looking to put Manchester United under pressure from the start and wanted to get an early sight at goal. They looked to play out from the back and progress possession through the thirds in as fewer passes as they could. They shaped up differently on and off the ball using a 4-4-2 when United had possession. From that perspective, they wanted to press United higher up the pitch and force the centre-backs into passing to the two full-backs. This was especially important because it allowed Everton to push their wide players up to create numerical superiority against the ball carrier.

This example early in the game showed Everton’s well-maintained structure in midfield which allows the two strikers to press in tandem. Notice how they blocked the passing lanes into Hayley Ladd and Katie Zelem. The two United midfielders have been key in their build-up this season and keeping them away forces United to react differently. Both Harris and Amy Turner are not the best under pressure causing them to come under pressure and forcing Leah Galton and Sigsworth into a more defensive position.

Both centre-backs would look for the two defensive midfielders who would look for the wide players. Attacking United’s full-backs was a deliberate plan, especially down the right flank. Chloe Kelly was the pick of Everton’s players as she tormented Martha Harris time and time again using her pace to devastating effect. The Evertonian right-winger more often than not used the channels to drift in or run down the byline to whip in low crosses putting United’s centre-backs under pressure.

Chloe Kelly’s energetic performance

Everton were unlucky to lose by a two-goal margin given how they played from an attacking point of view. Going forward Everton looked to play primarily through the wide players and get them on the ball as much as possible. The two wingers were given license to attack United’s full-backs and get in behind. While Turner has enough pace to keep up, Harris isn’t the quickest thus becoming a focal point of Everton’s line of attack. Kelly was dangerous from kick-off and constantly attacked Harris by going either side of her. The first goal came from a corner that was made from Kelly’s first major foray down the right flank. She has been a menace this season registering an average of 10.86 dribbles, 2.99 crosses, and 31.94 duels per 90. This has shown her willingness to attack any full-back she comes up against and immediately applies pressure on one side.