Manchester United lost 3-1 behind closed doors back in October two years ago in their last meet, but Mark Skinner’s side meant business when hosting Liverpool in their return to Women’s Super League action, with a 6-0 win in front of a Leigh Sports Village record crowd of 7,666.
Lucia Garcia broke the stalemate with a fantastic strike on the half-turn deep in the Liverpool box within six minutes of open play, Alessia Russo doubled their lead from Ella Toone’s cheeky through ball with the striker cleanly slotted the ball home just right of Goalkeeper Rachael Laws from close range.
Minutes before half-time, Ladd, sandwiched between two white shirts, headed home Batlle’s cross into the bottom right corner for the three-nil lead.
Millie Turner then smashed home the fourth goal which came off defender Emma Koivoisto, just past the hour mark. This was followed by Martha Thomas, who within minutes of coming on had fired the ball into the back of the net and just when Liverpool thought it couldn't get worse, Rachel Williams timed her jump perfectly to head Ladd's cross into the back of the net to seal the inevitable win.
Liverpool did gain some momentum in the second half and threw in big tackles worthy of a derby rivalry, but to no avail. United looked one step ahead fresh and energised, flustering and irritating the Liverpool back five - forcing the visitors to ball chase for spells throughout the game.
Player Ratings
Mary Earps - Confident and switched on throughout. Her quick feet to adjust and cover the crossbar from a Liverpool strike was impressive as it changed direction mid-flight. Always looks in control and has steel-eye focus, punching out the ball in a crowded box. She covered her back line well when needed too. 9
Ona Batlle - Looked like she had a lot of fun and freedom down that right flank. Her link-up play with Garcia, Toone and Russo meant she was heavily involved with attacking play. She provided incredible crosses and through balls whilst seamlessly performing her defensive duties too, just a little higher up the pitch. And added two assists to her tally. 9
Hannah Blundell - An early mistimed run gave Van De Sanden too much space to attack, her pace was tough to keep up with but Blundell got higher in attack with a free back post. Not afraid to run at her opponents showing she has grown in confidence in getting forward. 8
Ella Toone - High press from the whistle, Toone sprinted down every ball across that back line and even to close goalkeeper Rachael Laws. Nearly capitalised off Parris’ ball within the opening minutes but went just high. Her through ball to Russo gave United their second goal. 8
Katie Zelem © - Slotted into the right back position to push Batlle forward at times she switched the play out of white-shirt traffic seeking out wider players on the attack. Seemed a little drowned out of the middle of the park with four Liverpool shirts to United’s two struggling to always be available. 7
Hayley Ladd - Won her battles all over the pitch and cheeky through balls to open up the Liverpool backline. She headed home the third goal of the game just before half-time getting the best of two defenders, also got an assist. 9
Maya Le Tissier - Miss timed an important tackle to deny Melissa Lawley and gave away possession in her own area in the second half, but on the ball, she was confident and again didn’t force the play. 7
Lucia Garcia - Broke the stalemate with a first-touch shot on the turn right in front of goalkeeper Rachael Laws. Kept running at the back line, difficult to intercept and ran her socks off, with sneaky outside-the-boot touches laying the ball off to Batlle, Toone and Russo. 8
Millie Turner - Took control of the back line, covered Blundell well to manage Van De Sanden, but also called to calm the play. She didn't force a forward ball and was quick to recover back across the pitch. Solid defensive performance while also scoring at the other end for her second goal this season. 7
Nikita Parris - Proved too much to handle cutting in and out of the back line getting the better of Emma Koivisto. Her one-two play with Blundell was enjoyable to watch, often right the way up the pitch - not to forget the bicycle kick that was blocked by a white shirt. 8
Alessia Russo - Took a heavy challenge - Niamh Fahey went over the top of Russo challenging for a header but replied with the second United goal, calmly tapping the ball into the bottom right corner. Worked really hard to hold up the ball and play in others around her against a backline of five. 9
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