Manchester United will have felt a little closer to Europe on Sunday but it had nothing to do with their temporary proximity to the Channel.
After four Women’s Super League games without a win, Marc Skinner’s side had looked in peril of becoming marooned in mid-table and were desperately in need of this restorative, and thoroughly convincing, victory in West Sussex.
Hope Powell’s Brighton had kicked off in third place but only the excellence of Victoria Williams at centre‑half and Megan Walsh in goal prevented United, and their Norway international Vilde Bøe Risa in particular, from scoring a hatful of goals.
“We should have been three or four up at half-time,” said Skinner, whose team join Brighton on 15 points. “This was a dominant performance which has been coming for a while and I’m proud of everyone. We were much more like the Manchester United team we want to develop; I loved the aggression from us. We showed what we can be – and Risa was magnificent.”
Even so, his players made something of a slow-burn start, with Walsh seemingly hell-bent on helping them extend their winless run. Brighton’s goalkeeper proved extremely busy, making four first-half saves from Risa alone before Hayley Ladd’s half-volley finally eluded her.
Ladd’s goal arrived in first-half stoppage time and originated from a well-worked short-corner routine, driven low across the box.
For once, the otherwise outstanding Williams was confounded by a set piece concluded by Ladd’s first-time connection with Ona Batlle’s pass. Powell’s key defender had excelled, protecting Walsh admirably but she and her teammates were outwitted by a manoeuvre evidently well-rehearsed on the training ground and designed to render their aerial prowess academic.
Quick GuideWSL roundup: Arsenal overwhelm Leicester to extend lead
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Arsenal moved four points clear at the top of the WSL after cruising to a routine 4-0 win over the bottom club, Leicester. Jonas Eidevall’s side hit back from last week’s FA Cup final disappointment as early goals from Jordan Nobbs and Vivianne Miedema gave them a 2-0 lead.
The Leicester defender Jemma Purfield was sent off shortly before the break, and two goals in quick succession from the substitute Frida Maanum after the interval put the seal on a solid display from Arsenal.
Tottenham moved up to third place after coming from behind to beat Aston Villa 2-1 at Walsall. The Villa captain, Remi Allen, lofted her side in front in the 18th minute but 10 minutes later Kyah Simon levelled from the penalty spot after Ria Percival was brought down.
Rachel Williams put Spurs in front in the second half and they held firm in the face of some late pressure from the hosts. Spurs leapfrogged Brighton, whose 2-0 defeat to Manchester United gave the visitors their first league win since October 3.
Toni Duggan scored her first Women’s Super League goal for Everton in eight years in their 1-1 draw with West Ham. Duggan struck for the hosts in the 76th minute, cancelling out Zaneta Wyne’s opener for West Ham.
Ellen White’s late winner earned Manchester City victory at Birmingham. Christie Murray gave the hosts the lead before the visitors equalised via Georgia Stanway. Louise Quinn re‑established Birmingham’s lead before Lauren Hemp struck again for City. White made it 3-2 with a minute remaining.
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Brighton’s dismay at falling behind after working so hard was only exacerbated by their lack of threat from open play. Powell’s team had barely ventured into United’s box as they struggled to retain possession. It all seemed a reflection of the enduring lack of creativity and improvisational ability which continues to inhibit a supremely well-organised side reliant on dead-ball routines for almost half their WSL goals.
Perhaps attempting to rectify this imbalance, Powell replaced Felicity Gibbons with Danielle Carter at half-time but it was Williams who, early in the second period, came closest to scoring for the home side. After advancing to look for any fallout from a lofted free-kick, she appeared set to force the dropping ball over the line only to be denied by an extremely brave smothering save on the part of Skinner’s England goalkeeper, Mary Earps.
At the other end Walsh continued to thwart Risa until the 69th minute when the attacking midfielder volleyed Alessia Russo’s superb right-wing cross beyond her adversary, with the ball brushing the inside of a post en route to the back of the net. It was the Norwegian’s first WSL goal since joining United last summer but is unlikely to be her last.
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To their credit, Brighton refused to fold and Earps saved well from Ellie Brazil after Carter – who showed off a few pleasingly inventive touches – undid Skinner’s defence. United though were generally in control and, had she not sent a late shot whizzing wastefully wide, Ella Toone would surely have increased their margin of victory.
“It was an important win for us,” said Risa, after collecting the player of the match award. “We needed to win to be closer to the top of the league so I’m glad to have got my first WSL goal.
“I was a bit afraid it wouldn’t come today as I had a lot of chances, some big ones, so it was a special moment. It’s been a perfect afternoon. This is how we want to play; it’s just the start for us.”