Manchester United's claim to the Women's Super League title is still very much alive with a 3-2 win over Aston Villa on Friday evening despite only leading for minutes of the game. Substitute centre back Millie Turner nodded home the winning goal in stoppage time to steal the win for United.
United opened the game with plenty of chances and pressure on their hosts, but the first corner of the game gave Villa the edge. Rachel Daly’s header flew in towards the back post and beat Mary Earps within 10 minutes of open play. Leah Galton replied within five minutes to bring it back on level terms, sliding the ball into the back of the net. But Daly struck gold again for the 2-1 lead before the break, cancelled out by Nikita Parris with a free header at the back post, the winning goal came in stoppage time.
Chock full of action for the entire 90 minutes; six yellow cards, Villa struck the crossbar twice, United had a pin-ball style attack but to no avail and Hayley Ladd’s goal was then ruled out for a foul on Villa goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.
Player ratings:
Mary Earps - Played high and full of confidence but was beaten within 10 minutes to give the hosts the lead, nothing she could do about either goal, but Rachel Daly beat her with sheer precision and class. 6
Ona Batlle - Got high and peppered the Villa box with crosses early on, was able to get high and given plenty of space to exploit with pace and got yet another assist. Quieter second half. 8
Maya Le Tissier - Quiet first half, few long balls failed to hit white shirts. 6
Aoife Mannion - Body checking attackers well, very strong but perhaps risky and too eager jumping in when she could've just stood the player. More static compared to the Arsenal game, but carried the ball well with pace. 7
Hannah Blundell - Phenomenal tracking and her slide tackle timing was on point. Got high and put in a couple of good crosses. Got an assist under her belt delivering the cross to Parris. 8
Hayley Ladd - Solid tracking in the middle of the field against an outnumbered middle five Claret and Blue shirts. Could see her battling for every inch of space and playing the important pass. 8
Katie Zelem © - Was run ragged in the middle being outnumbered, quiet first half but sprayed the ball around to open the play in the second half. Delivered fantastic set pieces leading to the winning goal. 7
Nikita Parris - Got lost in the game but drew a couple of important fouls and subsequent bookings. Played more inside despite the space being out wide but then headed home the second United goal to bring it back on level terms. 7
Ella Toone - Was kept quiet throughout the first half. Got on the ball second half a bit more with a run down the right flank, but barely got involved. 6
Leah Galton - Was given so much space to attack down the left flank. Excellent defensive tracking and cover and at the other end of the field she scored United’s equaliser just minutes after going behind. 8
Alessia Russo - Put the pressure on early doors to test Villa’s goalkeeper, dropped deep to help collect the ball from a shielding five-player midfield. Swarmed with players when she got a touch on the ball. Found space in the second half and was unlucky to not hit the target. 7
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