Man Utd 0-0 Everton: United lose top spot in WSL

Manchester United were overtaken at the top of the Women's Super League as they were held to a hugely frustrating goalless draw by Everton at Leigh Sports Village.

Marc Skinner's side missed a number of huge opportunities on a frantic afternoon and it opened the door for rivals Chelsea to go top of the WSL with a 3-2 victory over Tottenham.

United did more than enough to win the game as England international Ella Toone hit the post in the second half after Lucia Garcia struck inches over the bar before the break.

Everton's Jess Park, on loan from Manchester City, almost caused an upset late on when she sliced wide after a period of intense pressure from United.

But the Blues held on to claim an impressive point as United fell two points behind Chelsea in the title race.

"It's probably two points lost because of the way the game was. We created enough chances to win the game. We have to be ready to take them," said United boss Skinner.

"Our players want to hold accountability because they want to be the best team in the country. They know what chances they missed and they will own them.

"We are growing fast but there are moments you still need to put those bits of quality into play. We need to use it in the right way to fuel us."

This could prove to be a significant result in the title race as United did more than enough to pick up all three points but lacked ruthlessness.

Alessia Russo had dominated the headlines this week after United turned down two world-record bids from Arsenal to sign the England striker in the final 24 hours of the January transfer window.

But Russo, who poked wide a chance in the first half, was kept at bay by Everton's brave defence.

Brian Sorensen's Everton side were tested throughout as forwards Garcia and Russo and full-back Ona Batlle came close in the first half before an onslaught from United in the second half.

Toone had the best of the chances when she was teed up by winger Leah Galton, only managing to clip the outside of the post.

United pushed up searching for a winner as a crowd of more than 5,000 grew more anxious and a few mistakes at the back almost allowed Everton to take a shock lead.

Park, who looked threatening whenever she got the ball, rounded goalkeeper Mary Earps after a mistake from Batlle but sliced a golden opportunity to put the Blues 1-0 up with time running out.

Everton continued to hang on as they threw their bodies in the way to block countless shots from United, with goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan putting in a strong display in the absence of on-loan United keeper Emily Ramsey, who was ineligible to face her parent club.

"I'm really pleased with the overall performance and it shows how far this group has come to come here and take a point off this really good team," said Sorensen.

"We knew they would open up as they really wanted to win and Jess (Park) had two good opportunities but she was tired. If we get used to this type of intensity then she will put those in the net.

"The squad is looking really good and where I want it to be. It was about getting a result defensively and to be organised and we were that."

The result leaves the door open for United's rivals in the title race, and was another strong defensive display from an Everton side ever-improving under manager Sorensen.