Women's Super League: Manchester City held by Everton in huge blow to UEFA Women's Champions League hopes, Aston Villa overcome Tottenham Hotspur

React to this story

Manchester City's hopes of playing UEFA Women's Champions League football next season look to be effectively over after being held to a 1-1 draw by Everton. Kerstin Casparij's opener was cancelled out by Karen Holmgaard leaving Nick Cushing's side an almost insurmountable mountain to climb in their quest to secure a top-three finish. Meanwhile, Aston Villa claimed a 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

Guardiola hails 'big win' in chase for Champions League football next season

Video credit: SNTV

Manchester City's top-three hopes took an almost fatal hit after being held to a 1-1 draw by Everton at the Joie Stadium.

The result leaves Nick Cushing's side seven points adrift of local rivals Manchester United with three games remaining, leaving their hopes of UEFA Women’s Champions League qualification hanging by a thread.

It is a result which will be all the more frustrating given that Marc Skinner’s team were held to a goalless draw by West Ham United on Saturday.

Adobe Women's FA Cup

‘A crazy few weeks’ – Shaw on ‘difficult’ Man City contract talks before FA Cup triumph

31/05/2026 at 22:19

City took 13 minutes to break the deadlock through Kerstin Casparij after Lily Murphy headed Kerolin’s ball across the face of goal, allowing the Dutchwoman to tap home.

Casparij paid tribute to Mary Fowler in her celebration, lofting the Australian’s shirt in the air after she suffered an ACL injury.

However, it was Brian Sorensen’s side who struck next with two twins combining to restore parity for the visitors.

Toni Payne won the ball back on the left-hand side and fed in Sara Holmgaard, whose enticing cross was brilliantly headed home by sister Karen Holmgaard.

The hosts responded well and had several chances to regain their lead through half-time, as Jess Park linked up well with Casparij before her subsequent effort hit the side netting.

Casparij was continually causing problems for The Toffees defence and drifted in a superb cross towards Murphy at the far post, but she fired wide at the far post.

That combination between the Holmgaard twins almost reaped dividends for Everton again after the break, but Sara Homgaard headed over on this occasion from Karen Holmgaard’s cross from a deep position inside the box.

Kerolin looked to take matters into her own hands for City, but her rising shot was brilliantly parried over the target by Emily Ramsey.

Ramsey was called into action moments later to deny Park, as the hosts failed to find that elusive second goal in a season that looks to have petered out.

Meanwhile, this point for Brian Sorensen’s side leaves Everton in eighth and behind seventh-placed West Ham on goal difference.

Villa edge out Tottenham to boost survival hopes

Meanwhile, Aston Villa provided a huge boost to their Women’s Super League survival hopes after Kirsty Hanson’s stoppage-time winner secured a dramatic 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

Goals from Anna Patten and Ebony Salmon put Villa in a commanding position, before goals from Jessica Naz and Ella Morris restored parity ahead of Hanson’s excellent winning goal.

The visitors drew first blood on the half-hour mark after Rachel Daly headed Staniforth's free-kick onto the bar before Anna Patten nodded home the loose ball past Lize Kop.

Natalia Arroyo’s side doubled their advantage in the 56th minute through Salmon after she latched onto Rachel Daly’s flick-on from a long ball and coolly dispatched her finish beyond Kop.

But just when Villa looked to be on their way to only a fourth win of the season, Spurs halved the deficit through Naz.

Villa’s defence failed to deal with a corner in the box, allowing the forward to slot home the loose ball.

Morris would go on to restore parity in the 70th minute with a goal which Villa keeper Sabrina D'Angelo would not be keen on viewing back.

The Spurs full-back beat her to the ball and finished into an empty net, which looked to have given the hosts a share of the spoils.

However, Villa were not done there and stole all three points late on when Hanson outmuscled two Spurs defenders and clinically shot past Kop with a one-on-one chance.

Villa move seven points clear of bottom club Crystal Palace - albeit having played a game more than The Eagles.

As for Spurs, this leaves Robert Vilahamn's side in ninth with 18 points.

Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+

Adobe Women's FA Cup