Manchester United Women

Manchester United made it five Women’s Super League wins in a row as they beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 on Sunday evening.

Elisabeth Terland scored the only goal of the match early on at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as United moved back to second place in the league and seven points behind Chelsea after being displaced by Arsenal earlier in the day.

From the first minutes, there were some boos from Spurs supporters for their former player Bizet whenever she was near or on the ball.

Manchester United took the lead in the 6th minute when Terland volleyed in Jayde Riviere’s cross from 12-yards for her sixth goal against Spurs.

Maite Oroz’s free kick was well claimed by Phallon Tullis-Joyce as the home side looked to quickly get level.

The hosts first shot at goal didn’t come until the 22nd minute but Hayley Raso’s strike went well wide.

Leah Galton’s effort from a visitors free kick was deflected behind for a corner in the 26th minute.

Raso was looking dangerous for Tottenham with a shot of hers from the edge of the area being held by the United goalkeeper.

At the other end, Hinata Miyazawa’s strike was headed behind by a Spurs defender.  Terland then cut in on the right-side but her low effort was also put behind for a corner by Clare Hunt.  Dominique Janssen had the visitors next chance but this too was blocked before going behind.

Ella Toone went close to extending Manchester United’s lead but her curling, dipping effort grazed the woodwork.

The home side gave away the ball on the edge of their area but Terland’s strike was easily claimed by Lize Kop as half time approached.

The visitors had the first effort of the second half but Toone’s volley from the edge of the area was blocked by Hunt.

United did well to stop Jessica Naz getting a shot away then block debutant Josefine Rybrink’s effort as the hosts looked for an equaliser.

Janssen almost put Manchester United two up in the 56th minute but her powerful shot went wide.

Terland couldn’t finish a cross from close-range for the visitors in the 63rd minute.

After going down injured twice in quick succession, Janssen was substituted off for the away side and went straight down the tunnel.

Naz’s strike from 20-yards in the 66th minute was caught by the United goalkeeper.

The visitors next opportunity came in the 71st minute when Millier Turner’s low strike from the edge of the area was saved.

In the 77th minute, Spurs had a chance to equalise but Bethany England headed over whilst under pressure from Turner.

There was late game management by United with them keeping the ball in the corner of the pitch whilst the hosts had the final chance of the match but this was a tame shot from Hunt that didn’t trouble the goalkeeper.

After the match when speaking to the press, Tottenham’s head coach Robert Vilahamn thought they had an unlucky start by conceding so early but admitted United were the stronger side in first half.

Vilahamn felt Spurs were much better in the second half, much braver on the ball and can compete with United. At the moment he feels they are a top 6 side but not top 4 but have taken steps forward against big teams this season.

Manchester United’s head coach Marc Skinner thought his side were controlled and only allowed Spurs to have potshots which we defended well. This clean sheet now means they have had 9 in 13 league games this season.

Skinner feels his side are adapting to how teams are playing against us and the youngsters were mature.

Line ups

Tottenham Hotspur (4-4-2): Kop, Neville, Hunt, Bartrip, Nilden, Raso, Rybrink (Csiki 86’), Oroz, Naz (Vinberg 86’), Thomas (Holdt 77’), England (c)

Unused substitutes: Spencer, Grant, Ahtinen, Buhler, Ayane, Gunning-Williams

Booked - Raso

Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Tullis-Joyce, Riviere (Mannion 90’), Le Tissier (c), Turner, George (Sandberg 64’), Miyazaawa, Jannsen (Awujo 65’), Bizet, Toone, Galton (Marland 64’), Terland

Unused substitutes: Middleton-Patel, Clinton, Williams

Goal – Terland 6’

Referee – Kirsty Dowle