FA Cup final Player of the Match Sandy MacIver says Everton’s performance against Manchester City in Sunday’s Wembley showpiece underlines the team’s capacity to compete with the best sides in the country.
The Blues were beaten 3-1 after extra-time in a closely-contested, high-quality encounter. The game finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, with Everton striker Valerie Gauvin deservedly levelling the scores after Sam Mewis put City in front.
City regained the lead with just nine minutes left of extra-time through Georgia Stanway, before Janine Beckie scored a breakaway goal with the last kick of the game.
MacIver made a host of stunning stops during the match.
She twice athletically denied former Everton attacker Chloe Kelly – on the second occasion from point-blank range – and also bravely kept out an effort from USA international Mewis.
Her most spectacular save came in extra-time when she somehow tipped a powerful header from Steph Houghton, who had already started her goal celebration, onto the post.
MacIver, however, was eager to share the plaudits with her teammates.
“Everyone left everything out there,” she told evertontv.
“The backline was very good, and I think credit should go to all five of us really.
How good was @SandyMacIver_ today? 👏
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) November 1, 2020
An amazing POTM performance. pic.twitter.com/RIaxTdjQfl
“Meg Finnigan was outstanding, it’s probably the best I’ve ever seen her play.
“We pushed City right to the edge. Hopefully this can drive us on for the rest of the season.
“By beating Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-finals, and pushing City, we’ve shown we can compete with the top teams.
“I really think we can push on in the league and in this season’s FA Cup and come back to Wembley come May."
Everton only have three days before returning to action, with the Blues hosting Manchester United in a Continental Cup clash at Walton Hall Park on Wednesday night.
Willie Kirk’s team then return to the capital on Sunday to take on reigning league champions Chelsea in a WSL match.
“It’s gutting to lose a cup final, we all went into the game believing we could win,” MacIver added.
“The key is to look back on this performance and see where we can be better.
“We’ve got two tough games now in United and Chelsea.
“All our attention and focus has to be on those games.”
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