Manchester United slipped back into second place in the Women’s Super League on Sunday with a 1-0 loss to Chelsea at Kingsmeadow.
Sam Kerr punished United when her third attempt on goal lobbed Mary Earps in the 23rd minute. The lopping pass from Lauren James bypassed United’s high defensive line and fell for Kerr to capitalise on.
Despite enjoying 68% of the ball in the first half, United fell behind a goal-to-nil and were unable to reply for the rest of the game. Alessia Russo gave the Reds the best chance with a close-range effort but United struggled for opportunities in the final third.
It was a heated 90 minutes, almost cup-final worthy with feisty tackles all over the park. Two challenges went unnoticed by the referee, Nikita Parris’ back foot took a knock by Kadeisha Buchanan and then minutes later Ona Batlle took a knock from Jess Carter both inside the penalty area, to no avail.
Player Ratings
Mary Earps - Phenomenal saves early on, two from Sam Kerr within 15 minutes of play. Nothing she could’ve done to keep Kerr’s goal out. 8
Ona Batlle - Saw her quality come out in the second half, her run forward proved difficult for Chelsea to interrupt however must be careful not to be caught out on the counter. 7
Hannah Blundell - Fought elbow-to-elbow with Kerr as the last defender and successfully put off the striker in front of goal. Energetic and confident down the left side. 8
Ella Toone - Trying to get the ball forward, she carried it well throughout the middle just struggling for the end product when trying to find Alessia Russo. 7
Katie Zelem © - Strong in the middle of the park delivered a bending set-piece towards the back post that got goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger backpedalling. 8
Leah Galton - Proved too much for Chelsea early on winning fouls early on, just seems one step ahead. Chelsea just couldn’t contain her today. 8
Hayley Ladd - Wrestled with Kerr well in the middle but played it back so often it slowed the game down. Battled well in the middle. 7
Maya Le Tissier - Both centre-backs got split by Kerr causing a lot of problems at the back. Did her defensive duties well and stood strong. Delivered great balls forward. 7
Millie Turner - Was split from Le Tissier several times and struggled to deal with Kerr. At the other end of the pitch, she was unlucky not to get on the end of Katie Zelem’s free-kick at the back post. Put in some incredible challenges that have denied Chelsea time and time again. 8
Nikita Parris - Unlucky not to get the penalty call with a touch from Buchanan, risks losing her head and over-defending but when harnessed has fantastic energy. 7
Alessia Russo - Pulled deep to help United recover possession with a very high work rate. She gave United their first real chance with a close-range effort. 7
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