Park’s Late Double Fires Manchester United Past Everton, Keeps Title Charge Alive

At Hill Dickinson Stadium, a sun-dappled October afternoon gave Everton Women hope of a home upset, but by full time it was Manchester United Women who left the field with a convincing 4-1 victory—and a timely reminder of their title ambitions. The scoreline, powered by Jessica Park’s late brace, propelled United to second in the WSL standings and extended their unbeaten start to the season, while Everton’s struggles deepened with another home defeat.

Everton emerged with spirit, despite their modest league position, and stunned the visitors in the 16th minute. United, looking to build on a midweek European win, found themselves chasing the game early when Everton’s mystery scorer—identity still to be confirmed—latched onto a loose ball and finished clinically past Mary Earps. For the Toffees, it was only their third goal in six league matches, but the eruption from the home fans suggested the importance of breakthrough moments for a side fighting to climb out of mid-table obscurity.

For much of the first half, Everton defended with stubbornness and countered intelligently, forcing United to probe in search of rhythm. Rachel Browns’ side, organized and compact, repeatedly frustrated Ella Toone and Melvine Malard, with the latter limited to speculative efforts from distance. United, yet to lose all campaign, showed the patience of an experienced contender—but Everton’s willingness to press and harry left the favourites without reward as halftime arrived.

A different United returned after the break, sharper in movement and more purposeful in attack. Marc Skinner’s halftime notes must have urged urgency; by the hour mark, the visitors had wrestled control, forcing a string of corners and stretching the Everton back line. The breakthrough came in the 62nd minute when Melvine Malard, rewarded for her persistence, found space at the top of the area. Her driven shot, low and true, evaded Courtney Brosnan’s outstretched hand and brought United level—restoring order and belief to the visitors.

Momentum had shifted. Everton, who had shown flashes of enterprise through Katja Snoeijs and Megan Finnigan, began to tire under the United press. Hannah Blundell pushed high, and the midfield trio found the angles that had earlier eluded them. Still, the Toffees clung stubbornly, their defensive shape holding until the closing stages.

But as legs faded and gaps emerged, Jessica Park seized her moment. Entering the final ten minutes, Park—recently returned to full fitness—displayed the clinical instincts that have made her such an exciting prospect. In the 84th minute, she ghosted in at the far post to finish a sweeping move, nudging the visitors ahead and puncturing Everton’s resistance. Five minutes later, Park struck again: another surging United counter sliced through a weary Everton defense, and Park applied the decisive touch from close range to settle matters.

The final whistle brought a measure of deflation for Everton, whose early promise dissolved beneath United’s late onslaught. The defeat leaves Everton ninth with five points from six games—just one win on the board and a worrying defensive record. For a side winless in five matches, today’s bright start will do little to quell anxieties about the season’s direction.

By contrast, United’s second-half transformation underscored their growing maturity under Skinner. Now on 12 points (3 wins, 3 draws, 0 losses), they remain just off the summit in a crowded title race. Park’s late brace not only secured the victory but also signaled her return as a difference-maker after injury. With Malard’s contribution and a midfield that found its gears in the second half, United look well-placed to mount a sustained challenge.

Historically, United have enjoyed the upper hand in this fixture, and today’s result extended that trend. For Skinner’s side, the challenge now is consistency—the kind of ruthless efficiency shown in the last 30 minutes at Hill Dickinson. With Chelsea and Arsenal both lurking in the title picture, dropped points are costly.

As for Everton, the coming weeks offer little respite: their next fixtures will be critical in shaping their campaign, and the urgency to halt a worrying slide is growing. For now, the Toffees are left to rue a day that began in hope but ended demonstrating the gulf between pretenders and genuine contenders. United march on, ambitious and unbowed, while Everton’s season hangs in the balance—awaiting a spark to turn moments into momentum.