The United States star was introduced at half-time of our triumph over the Toffees and made an immediate impact, winning a free-kick and floating in a cross for Lauren Hemp inside six minutes, before adding the icing to the cake with a header in the final stages.
Gemma Bonner’s poacher’s finish had already opened the scoring five minutes before the break but Mewis’ entrance sparked the inspiration needed to secure the win, as City rounded off a positive pre-season schedule in style.
What happened
The Manchester weather reserved its wettest and coldest welcome for the World Cup winners’ arrival, drenching the City Football Academy in both Saturday’s training session and Sunday’s final friendly. An instant initiation into the English game.
As both sides contended with the inclement conditions, the opening half hour garnered little in terms of goalmouth action. Both sides struggled to carve opportunities in the final third, despite City dominating possession. Everton meanwhile were content to strike on the counter-attack.
Bonner drew the first save of the afternoon with a well-struck half-volley, before the fleet-footed Keira Walsh and Laura Coombs both went close with efforts from distance.
The breakthrough arrived five minutes before the break, courtesy of a set-piece, as Bonner was quickest to react to the ricochet, after Ellen White had flicked on Chloe Kelly’s corner.
A triple substitution at half-time saw Mewis handed her debut, replacing England star and midfield engine Jill Scott.
Within three minutes, Mewis had made her presence known, driving forward and winning a free-kick just outside the box. Captain Houghton, who netted a match-winning free-kick against the Toffees in the league last season, stepped up to curl into the far corner.
Three minutes later, US star Mewis had also claimed an assist, delivering the perfect floated cross into Hemp’s path for the youngster to head home. Instigating two goals in her first six minutes, it was a dream start to life in sky blue.
Ever-spirited, Everton pulled a goal back through Simone Magill, who capitalised on a defensive error to slot past Ellie Roebuck.
Stanway then drew an excellent fingertip save from the Everton shot-stopper before Mewis capped a sensational debut display, converting from close range after Houghton had headed Georgia Stanway’s delivery back across goal.
A superb and sunnier second half display to round off an optimistic pre-season calendar – and hopefully, a sign of things to come…
How we lined up
The 2019/20 FA WSL Golden Glove winner Roebuck took her place in goal, shielded by a backline of Georgia Stanway, captain Houghton, Bonner and ex-Everton loanee Esme Morgan.
Walsh protected the back four in defensive midfield, employed centrally behind Jill Scott and Laura Coombs. Youngsters Lauren Hemp and former Toffees star occupied the wings, while Ellen White led the line upfront.
Taylor shuffled the pack at the break, bringing on Mewis, Caroline Weir and Jess Park for Scott, Coombs and White. Stanway moved into an attacking role, while Park deputised at right-back.
City XI: Roebuck, Stanway, Houghton (c), Bonner, Morgan, Walsh, Scott (Mewis 46), Coombs (Weir 46), Hemp, Kelly, White (Park 46).
Everton XI: MacIver, Moe Wold (Finnigan 80), Brougham, Sevecke, Turner, Christiansen (Pike 60), Stringer, Graham (Pattinson 70), Sorensen (Hughes 80), Magill (Gauvin 60), Boye-Hlorkah (Clemaron 70).
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Next up…
City and Chelsea raise the curtain on the long-awaited 2020/21 campaign with the first FA Women’s Community Shield since 2008.
Taylor’s first competitive fixture will take place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 29 August, before the men’s fixture in an historic double header.
The women’s encounter kicks-off at 12:30pm, preceding the men’s game at 4:30pm.
