With 18,154 in attendance at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Everton had hoped to put on a show for their first WSL game on Bramley-Moore Dock.
Despite Goodison Park becoming their home for the season, they took advantage of the men’s international break to play a rare match at the new stadium, fulfilling a seasonal request by the league to play at least one fixture there.
The usual Z Cars theme tune rang out before kick-off and flags from the Everton Women Supporters Club were brought across the city to hang proudly in the South Stand.
But it was not the explosive start they would have hoped for as Manchester United completely dominated possession in the opening stages and had three big chances before Everton had settled.
Goalkeeper Ramsey was called into action when Malard’s cheeky overhead flick almost deflected in off Everton midfielder Karen Holmgaard. It followed a miscued header wide from Elisabeth Terland from an unmarked position just a few yards out and Lisa Naalsund firing wildly over the bar.
How United were not at least 2-0 up was a mystery, but Everton capitalised at their first opportunity on a set-piece.
Hayashi’s goal rocked Skinner’s side for the first half but, on the whole, it was not a performance that would have thrilled Everton supporters.
They lacked creativity and bite, often struggling to build momentum, and when United eventually found the equaliser through Malard, it felt like a matter of time before they would add more.
It only took eight minutes, courtesy of Kitagawa’s unfortunate deflection, before Park’s introduction made a difference and finished things off.
Everton remain a team who are learning to play with each other after a busy summer transfer window that saw the arrival of nine players and this was another demonstration of that.