Toone said: “ The main thing was to win and we did that. I knew my role was to come on and change the game in any way that I could. What a ball from LJ [Lauren James].”

England fell behind to the Netherlands in the 12th minute as Beerensteyn slotted it past Mary Earps.

The striker doubled the visitors’ lead ten minutes from half-time as Earps let the ball go through her hands.

The keeper, who was crowned BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year earlier this week, was furious with herself.

But England responded well in the second half as two quick goals from Georgia Stanway and Lauren Hemp brought them back on level terms.

Earps redeemed herself with a brilliant save late on to keep England’s hopes alive.

With the addition of the returning Beth Mead and her Arsenal teammate Alessia Russo, the hosts had a flurry of chances but it was United’s Ella Toone who slotted it through the legs of Van Domselaar to the roar of the Wembley crowd.

Toone continued to praise her teammates saying: “We showed a lot of character to get the win”

However, there were mixed emotions at full time as the team’s chances of topping the group and qualifying for the Olympics are out of their hands since they failed to beat the Netherlands by two goals.

Earps was visibly distraught and as her team came into a huddle at the full time whistle, she let the tears flow and was consoled by her manager Sarina Wiegman.

Speaking to ITV.after the match Earps said: “I’m sorry my performance cost the girls like that.

“That will haunt me for a long time. I’ve really let the team down today. I’m really gutted.”

Wiegman defended her keeper saying: “We win as a team, we lose as a team.”

England will now travel to Scotland, who host them on Tuesday evening.

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Manchester United Women have 14 players who have been called up on international duty this week.

Six of those players could be in action for England’s Lionesses as they take on the Netherlands tomorrow night, followed by Scotland next Tuesday in the Nations League.

Mary Earps has been called up as she continues to be Sarina Wiegman’s first choice keeper after she scooped another individual award in the week.

The BBC crowned the shot-stopper as Women’s Footballer of the Year, the first time a keeper has won the award.

Earps is joined by England regular Ella Toone and United Captain Katie Zelem.

Also in the squad is defenders Maya Le Tissier and Millie Turner, the latter replacing Chelsea’s Millie Bright, who withdrew through injury.

Grace Clinton, who is currently on loan to Tottenham, also comes into the side.

England must win both games and hope other games go their way if they have any chance of topping the group and qualifying for the Olympics.

Meanwhile, three United stars have been called up for Wales, goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel, defender Gemma Evans and midfielder Hayley Ladd.

They take on Iceland tomorrow night as they battle the threat of relegation.

Lucia Garcia could be in action for Spain who currently sit top of group C while Lisa Naalsund has been called up for Norway.

Geyse and Hinata Miyazawa came face to face tonight as Brazil hosted Japan in an international friendly and it was Geyse’s side who came out on top in a goal fest that ended 4-3.

Canada take on Australia in the early hours of Saturday morning and Jayde Riviere is expected to play for the hosts.

United’s next game is on December 10th when they will travel to Tottenham in the league.

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It comes after the shot-stopper helped United come second in the league last season, securing Champions League football and picking up the WSL Golden Glove award.

She also helped England reach the final of the World Cup which they lost 1-0 to Spain despite Earps saving a second half penalty.

She picked up the Golden Glove at the World Cup as well.

It is the first time a goalkeeper has won the award, which was presented to her by United captain Katie Zelem at Carrington.

Earps said: “To be the first keeper to get their hands on the award is special and I am incredibly grateful.”

In a touching video posted by the BBC, Earps can be seen watching a video in which several stars offer their congratulations.

England manager, Sarina Wiegman said: “Congratulations, but you’re not done yet. You have to keep going – get some more. Enjoy this award.”

Meanwhile, former United keeper Peter Schmeichel said: “It doesn’t happen very often to goalkeepers. It’s always the girls and guys who score the goals that get them not the ones who prevent them. But you had a fantastic season and it’s so well deserved.”

Former teammate Fara Williams said it was a credit to all the hard work she’d put in over the years.

She beat Chelsea forward Sam Kerr and Ballon d’Or winner Bonmati to the award.

Earps is expected to be one of the top contenders for Sports Personality of the Year this year for her work on the field and off it.

In addition to her on-field heroics, she took on sports giants Nike over their decision not to sell goalkeepers shirts at the World Cup.

It is believed that Earps has a real shot of winning the coveted title, which would be an incredible achievement for a goalkeeper. Nominees are yet to be announced for that award which will be given in a ceremony on December 19th.

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City were dominating possession in the opening five minutes, but Galton was coping well at left back.

United had a free kick in a dangerous area but although Zelem’s delivery was good, the resulting header was well wide.

At the other end Shaw found herself one on one with Earps but the United keeper stood strong and stuck a foot out to deny City the opening goal.

After United launched an attack, Greenwood was deemed to have handled the ball in the area. A penalty was awarded and Zelem stepped up to take the spot kick and scored it, putting the Reds ahead.

United thought they’d got a second through Geyse but it was ruled out by the referee as it looked to have gone out at the byline.

Moments later and City got one back, then another, United had fallen apart in less than a minute first through Roord, then through Hemp. Kelly celebrated, deliberately taunting the United fans.

The second half was much the same, United had their moments but it was City who capitalised through Bunny Shaw as Earps hesitated to meet a ball.

It wouldn’t be a derby if City didn’t have a player sent off and it was Aleixandri who saw a second yellow in the 72nd minute.

United were seeing much more of the ball but the decisions were not going in their favour.

It was a record attendance of over 43,000 for a women’s game at Old Trafford, most of whom left disappointed by a lacklustre performance by the home side.

United just didn’t seem to believe in themselves like this City team did and that was the difference.

Team: Earps, Blundell, Le Tissier, Toone, Mallard, Zelem, Galton, Naalsund, Turner, Parris, Geyse

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If United could get the job done down south, they would go up to second place in the table.

After a ten minute delay to kick off due to the ambulance, required for health and safety, being stuck in traffic, a minutes silence was held as the last post echoed round the ground. Then United got things under way.

Former United keeper Sophie Baggaley was forced into an early save, tipping Malard’s shot over the bar.

United gave away a free kick in a dangerous area. It was soft but still managed to get Le Tissier into the book. It was dealt with well by United as Earps rose to collect.

Pressure mounted on United’s defence as Riviere put a good block in to deny Brighton the opener. A corner followed, it was cleared but it came in again and a strong header was needed from Turner to keep it out.

Following another Brighton corner, Earps got down well to stop a shot nestling into the bottom corner.

United had good spells going forward but it was the Seagulls that made breakthrough, Terland with a tap in from six yards out.

The United fans at the opposite end thought Geyse had found an equaliser and her first competitive goal for the club but it bounced out off the inside of the post.

United were growing into this game, a good cross in presented a chance for the Reds’ top scorer last season, Leah Galton, but she headed over the bar.

The second half began and there was early pressure from United but there was no one there when Toone crossed it in.

Geyse took a shot from the edge of the area, she turned well and had loads of time but her shot was weak and easily saved by Baggaley.

It was starting to look like Geyse was never going to score!

After letting Terland get the wrong side of her, Riviere brought her down giving away a free kick. Luckily Brighton couldn’t capitalise on it.

The home side found the goal again but luckily the offside flag was up.

Geyse had another shot on goal but she hit it as she was falling and booted it out of the ground.

After not having such a good game, Ella Toone silenced her critics and redeemed herself after a brilliant strike from the edge of the area flew past Baggaley and got United back level with 12 minutes of the 90 left to play.

At the other end, Brighton came close but Earps pushed it out for a corner.

A corner for United in the dying moments of the game found the head of Williams who found the outside of the post.

The game was end to end now and Earps made another fabulous save but it was out for a last minute corner for the home side and they found the goal.

With seven minutes of added time to play, was there any hope for United? Losing this would seriously dent their title hopes even this early on in the season.

They were trying and after they won a corner in the 98th minute, the fans believed!

Earps came up and Zelem delivered. Super sub Rachel Williams broke from her marker and slotted it in at the back post. The United fans almost fell off the terrace as they celebrated wildly!

It was a point rescued, it was not convincing and left them sixth in the table but it was better than a loss and United fans would take that on their long drive home.

Team: Earps, Le Tissier, Blundell, Toone, Malard (Garcia 75), Zelem, Galton, Riviere, Hinata (Williams 75), Turner, Geyse

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Manchester United’s Mary Earps has been named The Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year.

It comes after Earps helped the Lionesses to European glory last year before playing a crucial role in the Lionesses journey to the World Cup Final this year.

On a personal level, Earps took home the Golden Glove award in the WSL last season as United recorded their highest finish in the league.

She also took home the Golden Glove in the World Cup, playing every minute for England and keeping three clean sheets, conceding just four goals in seven matches.

Most recently, Earps came fifth in the Ballon d’Or which was won by World Cup winner Bonmati.

Ben Taylor, the editor of The Sunday Times said: “Mary Earps’ performances at the 2023 World Cup cemented her spot as one of the game’s greatest goalkeepers.”

He continued: “Her and the rest of the Lionesses showed determination, skill and resilience to reach the finals and will continue to inspire many young girls for years to come.”

Earps was nominated alongside two-time heptathlon world champion, Katarina Johnson-Thompson, seven-time paralympic gold medallist Hannah Cockroft and cricketer, Tammy Beaumont.

Meanwhile, the Lionesses were voted Team of the Year whilst Cockroft won the Disability Sportswoman of the Year award for the third time.

Olympic cyclist Katie Archibald was awarded the Helen Rollason Award for Inspiration and snowboarder, Mia Brookes took the Young Sportswoman honour.

Earps will be back in action at the weekend as United travel to Brighton in the WSL.

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England Lionesses have lost 3-2 to Belgium in the Nations League, all but ending their hopes of qualifying for the Olympics next year.

The Lionesses are now third in their group having lost to the Netherlands and now Belgium.

England dominated the game seeing 73% of possession and having 17 attempts on goal compared to Belgium’s five but the hosts were more clinical.

The game was marred by the serious injury to Alex Greenwood which saw a 13 minute stoppage in play.

England started off brightly, controlling the ball well, but Belgium were sitting deep and the Lionesses had to be patient with their build up play.

Chloe Kelly gave away a free kick in a dangerous area early on, she was bullied off the ball and handled it when on the floor.

De Neve took it and Manchester United’s Mary Earps could not get across in time to keep it from nestling in the top corner.

After the delay following a nasty clash of heads between Greenwood and Blom, Bronze equalised with a looping header from a set piece before the returning Kirby put England ahead as Hemp pulled it back to her in the centre of the box.

Deep into stoppage time in the first half, Wullaert found herself through the middle of two England defenders and had the pace to shake them off, slotting it past Earps.

Earps had little to do in the first half. Except for the two goals they scored, Belgium had few chances.

Though England had dominated possession in the first half, they headed in all square at the break.

In the second half Belgium were much more organised and the game opened up. Wullaert came forward again and it took a superb save from Earps to keep the scores level.

England had chance after chance but they couldn’t find the target, former United star Alessia Russo dithered on a few occassions, afraid to shoot and when she did take a chance she found the side-netting, on more than one occassion.

A goal-line clearance denied the visitors in retaking the lead and though it seemed frantic in the box sometimes from Belgium they managed to clear their lines time after time and England were all out of ideas.

However, a chance for Belgium going forward saw a shot blocked by Stanway’s hand in the penalty area and the home side had an opportunity to take the lead.

Earps went the right way but Wullaert scored again.

For so long, under Sarina Wiegman, England have dominated with journalists and pundits viewing the side with rose tinted glasses but tonight they ran out of ideas of how to break Belgium down and let their guard down when their opponents had an opportunity to break.

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Two Manchester United Women’s players were in contention for the Ballon d’Or, goalkeeper Mary Earps and new signing and golden boot winner, Hinata Miyazawa.

Tonight, in a ceremony hosted in Paris, they learnt their positions in the race for the coveted trophy.

Earps, who helped England lift the European trophy last year and took them to the final of the World Cup, this year came fifth.

She has had a stellar couple of years after fighting her way back into the England side under Sarina Wiegman, lifting the trophy at the Euros and the Women’s Finalissima and saving a penalty in the World Cup final.

Domestically, she helped secure a place in Europe for United after they finished second in the league as Earps picked up the WSL’s Golden Glove award for most clean sheets.

She also is the current holder of the Women’s FIFA Best Goalkeeper Award.

Meanwhile, new signing Hinata Miyazawa, who won the Golden Boot at this year’s Women’s World Cup, came in 12th place.

The winner was Spain and Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati, who is having a fantastic year after winning the World Cup with her country this summer.

Chelsea and Australian star Sam Kerr came second while Barcelona duo, Salma Paralluelo and Fridolina Rolfo, finished third and fourth respectively.

Earps’ Lionesses teammate Rachel Daly came 10th.

However, England’s Georgia Stanway and Millie Bright, and the Republic of Ireland’s Katie McCabe all missed out on the top 10.

Earps is currently in Belgium with the England Lionesses preparing for their match tomorrow night in the Nations League.

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In action for the England Lionesses, who face Belgium tonight, is shot-stopper Mary Earps, who was instrumental in the Reds 5-0 thrashing of Everton last weekend.

Ella Toone, one of the most popular players amongst England and United fans, has also been called up for England’s crucial matches against Belgium.

Captain Katie Zelem and Maya Le Tissier are also in the squad alongside Grace Clinton, who is currently on loan at Tottenham Hotspur.

England face Belgium at home tonight before travelling to face them away next Tuesday.

They need a good win tonight as they currently sit in third in their group behind tonight’s opponents and the Netherlands, who beat them last time out.

A place in the Olympics next year is riding on progression out of the group.

Meanwhile, three United women have been called up for Wales, their young goalkeeper, Safia Middleton-Patel, midfield maestro Hayley Ladd and defender Gemma Evans.

Wales are in action against European runners up, Germany, tonight.

They are currently bottom of their group with no points on the board so far.

One of United’s star signings this summer, Geyse, has been called up for Brazil, who take on Canada tomorrow.

She will come up against her United teammate Jayde Riviere, who will play in defence for Canada.

Lucia Garcia will meet up with former teammate Ona Batlle as Spain take on Italy this evening in their Nations League clash.

The World Champions are currently top of their group having played two and won two.

Meanwhile, Norway take on France in group A2 and Lisa Naalsund will be a part of their squad.

They have drawn one and lost one so far with tonight’s opponents leading that group.

Hinata Miyazawa has been called up for training with Japan after a bright start to her season in the WSL.

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The incident happened on Sunday after United’s 5-0 thrashing of Everton in the WSL at Walton Hall Park.

Earps played the full ninety minutes and made some superb saves in the game, helping United secure their first clean sheet of the season.

But the afternoon was marred for the Lionesses shot-stopper as fans took to social media to criticise her.

The fan wrote on Instagram: “Thank you Ella Toone & Nikita Parris for stopping to meet my daughter today. It’s a shame Mary Earps is far too busy and important to stop for her fans these days!!”

Another fan claimed his daughter went home crying after Earps failed to stop for her.

Earps screenshotted the comments and wrote on her Instagram story: “I try to ignore comments like these – but after a great win & spending so much time post-game meeting so many of you lovely lot afterwards, it’s hurtful to get home and get tagged in comments like these. Be kind. Happy Sunday. Love Mary x”

Earps is well-known among regulars at Leigh Sports Village for being one of the players who engage the most with fans.

A number of supporters leapt to her defence, sharing snaps of themselves with the goalkeeper.

Earps is in demand these days, she now has over 1 million followers on TikTok and 700k on Instagram.

Since England won the Euros last summer, attendance has more than doubled in the domestic league, with more and more fans itching to get close to their idols.

Meanwhile, Earps’ consistency on the pitch has earned her another nomination as it was announced today she is nominated for BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year.

Voting is now open on the BBC Sport website and the Winner will be announced on November 28th.

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