Melvine Malard's 94th-minute winner snatched victory for Manchester United against Everton to send them back into second place in the Women's Super League table.

The France international stole a march on keeper Courtney Brosnan to nod home at the near post in stoppage time and send the home crowd into raptures.

The victory for Marc Skinner's side coupled with Chelsea's draw at London City Lionesses means they leapfrog the Blues into second and are back in the driving seat in the race to secure qualification for next season's Champions League.

Visitors Everton thought they had rescued a point when Imma Gabarro headed home in the 90th minute but United mustered a final piece of quality to condemn them to a first league defeat in four.

The hosts had led since the 38th minute when Elisabeth Terland fired into the top-right corner at the second attempt to break the Everton resolve.

It had proved a frustrating afternoon for United until the opener, with fans likely fearing a repeat of the 0-0 draw at West Ham on Wednesday.

In truth, Everton had offered very little in the opening half an hour, though Zara Kramzar's fierce drive went close to stealing the lead. The January signing latched on to a loose ball after wayward passing by the United defence, before forcing Phallon Tullis-Joyce into a springing left-handed save.

Spurred on by that scare, the home side accelerated their attacking efforts, with Terland having a close-range shot blocked by Maz Pacheco before Toffees keeper Brosnan was required to smother Jess Park on the rebound.

The only thing more emphatic than Terland's thumping finish for the opener was her celebration, with her roaring in delight at having ended her six-game scoring drought for club and country.

Encouraged by the slender scoreline, the visitors offered more attacking threat in the second half. Kramzar had their best opportunity but she sent a header looping over the crossbar from five yards out.

Then Gabarro's header arrived and Everton looked like they had grinded out a share of the points.

But it wasn't to be as Malard claimed the victory that United's overall performance deserved - and the Toffees were condemned to a first league defeat under interim manager Scott Phelan.

There was an extra edge to the Manchester United celebrations when Malard's header hit the back of the net in stoppage time.

First it was elation - quickly followed by a palpable sense of relief.

After a week when they had lost out on silverware to Chelsea (again) and had their Champions League ambitions dented by West Ham, it was crucial for Skinner's side to get back to winning ways, and fast.

Everton offered staunch resistance throughout, buoyed by their own recent run of four league games without defeat.

They met United's 15 shots at goal and 20 crosses with 23 total clearances, 11 of which came from goalkeeper Brosnan in another excellent individual display.

Terland finally broke their resolve, with that goal looking for some time like it was enough to settle the result in United's favour.

Then came the sucker punch from Gabarro. Once again United were left ruing not killing off their opponent... Or so it seemed until Malard pounced at the death. That killer instinct appeared just when they needed it most.

While Everton walk away defeated, they will not be deflated. It was a marked improvement compared to the 4-1 hammering in the reverse fixture in October.

For United, it's a much-needed win, their first in three games in all competitions, made all the more sweet by Chelsea slipping up and allowing them to take back second place.

Up next for Manchester United is the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich on Wednesday, 25 March (20:00 GMT).

They then host neighbours Manchester City at Old Trafford in the Women's Super League on Saturday, 28 March (13:30) while that same afternoon Everton host Merseyside rivals Liverpool at Goodison Park (12:00).

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