WOMEN’S RECAP: Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur

Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur Match Recap

Manchester United were back to winning ways, with a 4-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur at the Leigh Sports Village. Ella Toone, Christen Press, and Jess Sigsworth were all on the scoresheet in a match that could have easily seen the hosts score more goals. Read on for a recap of Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur.

Set Up

Manchester United: Earps, Batlle (Jones 84), A. Turner, M. Turner, Smith, Zelem (c) (Groenen 64), Staniforth (Ross 63), Sigsworth (Galton 63), Toone, Hanson, Press (Thorisdottir 84)
Substitutes not used: Bentley, Harris, Russo, Bourne

Tottenham: Spencer, Neville (E.Morgan 64), Zardosky (c), Kennedy, Harrop (Worm 46), Green, Graham, Cho (Ayane 46); Naz (Addison 89), Williams, Dean (Davison 64).
Substitutes not used: Mikalsen; Peplow, Quinn.

Casey Stoney made a few notable changes to her lineup, as Leah Galton and Alessia Russo both returned to the starting lineup after recovering from their respective injuries.

First Half

Press got the game underway, having the Reds’ first real opportunity of the game. Toone played her in from behind, but Spurs’ keeper Rebecca Spencer collected her low-driven strike easily.

Barely ten minutes in, Toone opened the scoring for United that started with a well-timed cross from Press. Press’s long delivery to Kirsty Hanson saw her break free from her defender and pass the ball to Toone from the left. Toone picked out the bottom right corner with clinical precision, making it 1-0 to the hosts.

United’s positive start was rewarded with their second goal, as Press scored what will probably be one of the easiest headers of her career. Unmarked in the penalty box, all Press had to do was wait for Toone’s cross to find her as she nodded the ball past Spencer.

Hanson was again involved in giving her team a 3-0 lead shortly after the half-hour mark. Charging forward down the left, Hanson crossed the ball to Sigsworth who powered it into the back of the net.

Lucy Staniforth could have made it 4-0 with a training ground shot, but her effort curled just wide.

Second Half

Shortly after the match resumed, Staniforth was brought down in the penalty box to win her team a penalty. Toone stepped up to convert from the spot, making it two in the match, and nine this season.

United weren’t content to defend a 4-0 lead and pushed ahead as the game progressed. Press especially looked dangerous, as she saw both her shots at goal thwarted by the Spurs defence.

Galton made her first appearance for United since mid-February shortly after, replacing Sigsworth. With Galton in the mix, Hanson shifted on to the right side of the attacking midfield, and almost got a goal of her own. The winger’s lofted shot forced a spectacular save from Spencer, who tipped the attempt over the crossbar. Galton continued to influence the match as United looked to add to their score. Setting up Press (who shot wide), the pair linked up again, only for Galton to miss the target this time.

Spurs got the final goal of the match from a free kick, in the dying minutes of the match. Alanna Kennedy picked out the top left corner of the net for her goal that wiped out United’s clean sheet.

Wrap up

The victory temporarily took United into third ahead of Arsenal, who — with a game in hand — later defeated Brighton 2-0. Stoney’s team play Bristol City away for their penultimate match of the season, next Sunday at 09:00 EST/06:00 PST.