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Manchester United’s brilliant start to the new WSL season continues, as they put Tottenham Hotspur to the sword in a 3-0 victory at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday.
Summer signing Esliabeth Terland grabbed a sensational first-half brace to give United a commanding advantage heading into the break. Club skipper Maya Le Tissier converted from the penalty spot to all but ensure United clinched all three points.
The result has left Marc Skinner’s side in third position in the standings, level on points with Chelsea and just one adrift of table leaders Manchester City, who have played a game more.
Spurs started more aggressively from the off, mostly forcing United to retreat in an effort to shore up the back. Martha Thomas almost gave the visitors the lead as she cut inside from the left but she was denied by United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
Tullis-Joyce was at it again moments later, as she once again swung into action to keep out a shot from Drew Spence. Grace Clinton also forced a save from Spurs shot-stopper Becky Spencer.
United steadily grew into the game and got their reward in the 44th minute, when the incredible Terland volleyed in a fine cross from Celine Bizet. Terland’s strike thundered off the underside of the bar on its way into the back of the Spurs net.
Bizet and Terland combined again just before the break for United’s second. This time, Terland headed in a cross from Bizet to beat a helpless Spencer in the Spurs goal.
Terland nearly grabbed a hat-trick five minutes after the restart when she was put through on goal by Clinton, but she was thwarted by Spencer who produced a timely stop.
However, United fans didn’t have to wait for too long, as the team registered a third goal. An Ella Toone cross was handled by Spurs defender Ashleigh Neville inside the box, resulting in a penalty for Skinner’s team.
Le Tissier stepped up to take it and she made no mistake, sending Spencer the wrong way.
United remained in control for the rest of the proceedings and Skinner brought on the likes of Rachel Williams, Hinata Miyzawa and Simi Awujo later on to get the victory over the line.
The 2023/24 Adobe FA Cup winners have now scored seven goals so far this term and are yet to concede even once. Skinner will certainly be hoping for more of the same when they travel to take on Brighton & Hove Albion next weekend.
United vs. Spurs Match Details
United: Phallon Tullis-Joyce (GK), Celin Bizet (Aoife Mannion 89), Maya Le Tissier (C), Millie Turner, Gabby George, Lisa Naalsund (Simi Awujo 76), Dominique Janssen, Grace Clinton, Ella Toone (Hinata Miyazawa 76), Leah Galton, Elisabeth Terland (Rachel Williams 76).
Unused substitutes: Safia Middleton-Patel, Lucy Newell, Jess Simpson, Hayley Ladd, Emma Watson.
Goals: Terland 44, 45+4, Le Tissier 59.
Spurs: Rebecca Spencer (GK), Ashleigh Neville, Molly Bartrip, Clare Hunt, Charlotte Grant, Eveliina Summanen (Matilda Vinberg 56), Olga Ahtinen, Jessica Naz (Lenna Gunning-Williams 89), Drew Spence, Martha Thomas (Anna Csiki 78), Bethany England (C).
Unused substitutes: Katelin Talbert, Eleanor Heeps, Luana Buhler, Araya Dennis.
Featured image Matt McNulty via Getty Images
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2024-10-13 19:30:52
