Manchester United 2-0 Reading: Women’s Super League opener – as it happened | Football

That is all from me this evening, thank you for joining me for this 21/22 season opener!

Manchester United were clinical in the moments that mattered to defeat Reading 2-0. Hanson and Batlle the scorers to start Marc Skinner’s reign at United perfectly.

There is of course more WSL action to come this weekend.

On Saturday: Aston Villa vs Leicester City, Everton vs Manchester City, Tottenham vs Birmingham City.

On Sunday: Arsenal vs Chelsea, Brighton vs West Ham.

Suzanne Wrack was at Leigh Sports Village to witness the opening action from the WSL season.

To catch up or relive all the action read her report here:

Chambers on that Chaplen ghost goal…

She told Sky: “I thought it was in. I think it would have changed the game. We built momentum from that. If that stood it would’ve been a different game.

“My back four defended well. Gemma Evans was outstanding. We just need to make sure we keep building on that.”

Marc Skinner speaks after first United win.

He told Sky: “It’s hard work in progress. The players have given me a lot since I have come in. Casey left us a wonderful foundation for us to build.

“Toone has this talent to turn and find pockets playing forward. We knew we could hurt Reading between those lines.”

Kirsty Hanson and Hannah Blundell speak.

Hanson tells Sky: “It was a tough start, they put a lot of pressure on us. we started being more patient in the final third and we got the goals.

“We have a lot of forwards so we want to make an impact, delighted. We know Toone is brilliant on the ball, we do that all the time in training.”

And Blundell added: “Keeping clean sheets will win us Championships. I’m loving it here, the togetherness we have is showing on the pitch.”

FT: Man Utd 2-0 Reading

Lots of debate around that match, especially Chaplen’s ghost goal just after half-time.

Was it a goal? It may have been but with no VAR in the WSL we will never know for certain.

What do you think?

The 21/22 WSL season has officially opened and what a start it was.

Reading had full control of the first half until the dying minutes when Hanson struck to put her side ahead.

At the break the hosts stood at 1-0 and Reading were keen to even the score.

Chaplen had the best chance for the visitors as her attempt smacked the cross bar in the second half.

However, Reading’s dreams were crushed as Batlle doubled United’s lead with a sensational strike.

The home team closed out the match to get their campaign and Marc Skinner’s reign off to a perfect start.

90 + 3 min: United free kick sees Moloney collect and the full-time whistle goes.

90 + 2 min: A late United corner sees their danger strike again as Moloney watches the ball sail past her goal.

Close but not close enough for United.

88 min: United corner as Zelem takes the shot.

The attempt comes to Groenen’s feet who’s shot goes wide.

Kirsty Hanson has been named Player of the Match.

83 min: Almost a dream debut for Thomas as she gets in front of goal.

But before she can get a shot away she is ruled offside.

80 min: Heart in the mouth moment as a Reading defensive blunder sees the ball roll across an open goal.

Galton can’t quite get to the ball to capitalise.

78 min: United won a corner and the attempt bounced past the players but rebounded off a Reading star for another corner.

The second attempt is equally wasted and Reading counter.

74 min: Reading have started to build in the last few minutes but they spill the ball to United.

It’s also been great to hear from all of you on email and through Twitter. I see all of you and it’s great fans are so excited by the WSL.

71 min: United had a free kick as Hanson was fouled.

Boe Risa took the shot with a short pass to Zelem.

The chance is missed as a Reading player is fouled.

Reading sub now as Joen comes on for Harding.

66 min: United substitute.

Ella Toone and Lucy Staniforth makes way for Jackie Groenen and Martha Thomas.

64 min: So close from Galton!

Hanson sailed the ball to her teammate who can’t get a head to it.

Maybe a blessing in disguise as she was ruled offside.

64 min: When United get on the front foot, the danger is so threatening I’m holding my breath!

They are poising an attack, can they find their third of the evening?

60 min: The delivery from Chaplen is poor as it lands on top of the goal.

Reading won’t have many opportunities like that and it’s a wasted position for them.

56 min: Reading have to be frustrated with this game.

They have been calling the shots apart from two moments where United have scored.

54 min: Unbelievable from Batlle!

A fantastic strike sees Moloney not having any chance of saving that.

Another assist from Toone.

50 min: What. A. Strike!

Chaplen fired the ball on target but it smacked the bar and bounced on the line.

Of course there is no VAR in the WSL and so it’s not a goal. It looked marginally over!

49 min: Reading given the ball after great play by Rowe.

United haven’t ran away with this one yet, with the visitors still having a hand in the match.

47 min: Hanson remaining in the game after that clatter to the face.

46 min: Right from the off United are showing what they can do.

Blundell and Boe Risa doing well to get in a good position but it comes to nothing.

As Reading went on the counter through Rowe, Hanson is caught by her elbow. She is still on the ground.

And the second half is here!

Will Reading be able to bounce back from going a goal down or will United stride away with this?

Do you think Hanson enjoyed that one?