Alessia Russo continued her goalscoring form to help Manchester United produce one of the most comfortable football results of the weekend in the Premier League. Marc Skinner’s team appeared to be mostly at ease the whole game, and it was the ideal warm-up for their first significant domestic final against Chelsea in the FA Cup the following weekend.
Leah Galton scored the opening goal (32) after taking advantage of a slip-up by former Manchester United defender Amy Turner. With a beautiful volley three minutes later, Alessia Russo (35), who is now tied with Galton for the season lead with 10 goals, increased the advantage. Nikita Parris completed the victory shortly after halftime in the 53rd minute, giving the team a six-point advantage over rival Manchester City, who lost 2-1 to Liverpool and therefore lost ground in their own championship defense.
However, in the late WSL match, Chelsea thrashed Everton 7-0, cutting Man United’s lead to four points despite the Blues’ two games remaining. Tottenham did have opportunities as well; Bethany England came very close twice; but, numerous defensive errors led to them being thoroughly defeated at Leigh Sports Village. They are only three points ahead of Reading, who are fighting to avoid the drop and will face them on May 20 in their last game of the year.
Tottenham custodian Tinja-Rikka Korpela had to make a number of saves as Man Utd took control early on. However, the England of Spurs had the greatest early opportunity. The Euro 2022 champion surged into the area after some exquisite one-touch play from her teammates, easily around the approaching Mary Earps, but Maya Le Tissier skillfully stopped her shot. Tottenham was pushed farther back by Man Utd as the game went on, and they finally broke through shortly after the halfway mark. Turner made a terrible pass into space, which Galton intercepted and then expertly finished by driving the ball into the far corner.
Quickly after a superb Korpela stop on a long-range Vilde Boe Risa shot, Russo scored his second goal. The Man Utd striker connected to deliver a tremendous volley into the goal after the ensuing corner was recycled back into the area. But when Tottenham struck the crossbar late in the first half, it served as a timely reminder of how rapidly things can change. Jess Naz raced down the left, but Celin Bizet deflected her cross off the crossbar.
After another Spurs defensive blunder, Man Utd added a third goal only eight minutes after the interval. Kerys Harrop and Shelina Zadorsky failed to successfully clear Galton’s left-wing cross, and Parris lurked nearby to take a touch and score from close range. Man Utd continued to pelt Korpela with shots despite the fact that she did not need to make as many saves as she did in the first half. In actuality, her opponent Earps pulled off an incredible double save to preserve her perfect record.
From the right flank, England sent in a cross, and Mana Iwabuchi’s attempt was blocked by the Man Utd No. 1 player. Rosella Ayane made an effort to grab the rebound, but Earps once more stopped her to protect the Spurs. Soon after, England came near but missed with a corner glance. However, Man Utd finished the game very well, scoring goals and maintaining a clean sheet that may prove crucial on the 27th, which is the game’s last day.
“I stated [in the post-game huddle] that we can now switch strategies and play a different game, a psychological game, the next week. We feel that we can play and defeat any team, but right now we need to figure out how next week will go for us,” Manchester United boss Marc Skinner said. “I always approach it game by game, and they are aware that if they falter by not focusing on one game, the outcome will not be in their favor. We’ve been fairly professional, and today was no different. We controlled the first half but slipped off a bit in the second. Mary’s double save was a huge moment. It demonstrates her top-notch abilities. She plays the game mostly doing nothing before coming up with it. There were many [excellent] little pieces, but I’m never content. It is necessary to increase the second half’s consistency. This cannot be done when we play Chelsea next.”
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