Super Falcons midfielder, Toni Payne registered her first goal contribution of the 2024/25 Women’s Super League season, setting up Kelly Gago in Everton’s 2–1 defeat to title-chasing Manchester City at Goodison Park on Sunday.
City, led by Andree Jeglertz, took full advantage of Chelsea’s dropped points against Arsenal to move top of the WSL standings after a tense, hard-fought encounter.
Toni Payne Assists Gago’s Equaliser
Dutch forward Vivianne Miedema opened the scoring for City in the 21st minute, finishing calmly after a clever exchange with Leila Ouahabi.
Everton drew level 19 minutes later, thanks to a piece of brilliance from Payne. The Super Falcons star whipped in a teasing cross that Gago met with a sublime back-heel flick past Ayaka Yamashita, leaving the City goalkeeper rooted.
The assist marked Payne’s first direct goal involvement for the Toffees since joining from Sevilla ahead of the 2024/25 season.
Shaw Seals the Win for City
City regained the lead in the 55th minute when Jamaican striker, Khadija “Bunny” Shaw rose above Rion Ishikawa to head home Ouahabi’s pinpoint delivery, scoring her ninth goal of the campaign.
Everton pressed for a late equaliser, with Ornella Vignola rattling the crossbar and Hikaru Kitagawa forcing Yamashita into a sharp save. However, the Toffees could not find a breakthrough.
Mixed Emotions for Everton
Everton have played their seventh consecutive league game without a win, however, there were encouraging signs for Brian Sorensen’s side, offering glimpses of attacking promise.
Gago, who was Everton’s joint-top scorer last season after joining from Nantes, has now scored in back-to-back matches following her late equaliser in the 3–3 draw against Aston Villa last weekend.
Manchester City, now a point clear of second-placed Chelsea, will host Manchester United in a Manchester derby on Saturday, November 15 at the Etihad Stadium (13:30 GMT).
Everton, who sit 10th in the table and four points above the relegation play-off zone, will travel to London to face West Ham United on Sunday, November 16 (12:00 GMT).
