Nick Cushing rued a "missed opportunity" for Manchester City, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton in the Women's Super League.

After third-place Manchester United could only draw 0-0 with West Ham on Saturday, City had the opportunity to move within five points of their rivals with three games remaining.

Cushing's side appeared on course to do that when Kerstin Casparij bundled them into a 13th-minute lead.

However, they were pegged back before half-time when Karen Holmgaard nodded in a deep cross from twin sister Sara.

That proved enough for the visitors to ensure a share of the spoils, and City's interim boss Cushing knows his side should have capitalised on the chance to close the gap on the top three.

"Manchester United opened the door a little bit for us," he said. "But I also knew it wasn't going to be as simple as that today, with the condition of the team and options from the bench.

"The second goal was really important, and we didn't find it. It ended up being the difference between one point and three points."

The sisterly connection@EvertonWomen #BarclaysWLS pic.twitter.com/A76bL1rmsG
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) April 20, 2025

Meanwhile, second-bottom Aston Villa boosted their survival hopes, thanks to Kirsty Hanson's stoppage-time winner against Tottenham.

Natalia Arroyo's side struck twice in the space of four first-half minutes through Anna Patten and Ebony Salmon, though they were pegged back 20 minutes from by Jess Naz and Ella Morris.

Nevertheless, there was to be a late twist. Substitute Hanson latched onto Rachel Daly's 91st-minute throughball, before slotting past Spurs goalkeeper Lize Kop to move Villa seven points clear of bottom side Palace.

Data Debrief: Holmgaard twins deny City as Villa go back-to-back

Man City were denied by the Holmgaard twins, with Sara now having assisted each of Karen's last three goals in the Women's Super League.

City's struggles continue with their last five matches in all competitions yielding just a single victory.

Meanwhile, Villa have recorded successive WSL wins for the first time since January 2024, while condemning Spurs to a seventh defeat in eight games in all competitions.