Russo double helps Manchester United beat Everton in WSL at Old Trafford

Two goals from the head of lifelong fan Alessia Russo helped Manchester United to come from behind to earn a 3-1 win over Everton in front of a club record crowd of 20,241 at Old Trafford for a Women’s Super League match.

Russo’s first-half header cancelled out Claire Emslie’s well-taken strike in the fourth minute. United took the lead from the spot in the second half through the captain and fellow-lifelong United fan Katie Zelem before Russo added her second late on.

It was one year to the day since United’s women’s team had first stepped out on to the pitch at Old Trafford. That was in the midst of the pandemic. One year on, and hours before kick-off, fans buzzed around the Old Trafford perimeter with anticipation. On the 8.20am train from London Euston United shirts were present in every carriage.

From the faces of the players looming large on banners on the ground’s exterior to the tickets given away at local schools, the club pushed for a turnout that would eclipse the team’s record league crowd of 3,797 at Leigh Sports Village and it did not disappoint.

The party mood would be swiftly quelled though. The former Manchester City forward Emslie was set free on the right by Kenza Dali and she coolly slotted past the United goalkeeper, Mary Earps, and in at the far post.

To say the away team taking the lead was a surprise would be an understatement. The Blues had scored just 14 goals and had won just five times in 17 league games prior to kick-off. Meanwhile, United are battling for a place in the Champions League, for the first time, with derby rivals Manchester City, who sit in fourth. City are three points behind the Red Devils, but have a game in hand after the postponement of Sunday’s match with Birmingham due to