Manchester United Women manager Marc Skinner praised the impact of the club's England players after they sailed to a 4-0 win over Brighton.
His side dominated possession with close, clever one-touch-two-touch play and Skinner was quick to credit his Lionesses for bringing an edge to the side and hugely impacting the game, including goalkeeper Mary Earps.
He said: “You always knew Mary had something. It's her athleticism, her focus, she's just that rock. Keepers don't do much, but when they do, we need them to compete because every team can have a moment in the game.
Also read: Ella Toone double helps United to WSL victory vs Brighton
“I've mentioned that in the huddle today, and credited her and Sophie Baggaley for their laser focus - they're exactly what we need right now.”
Earps leapt to cover her top corner after a surprise strike from Albion’s Elizabeth Terland at the closing stages of the first half, to maintain their third clean sheet of the season. Skinner added: “She's just laser-focused and that save was exceptional”.
England teammate Ella Toone scored two goals in quick succession, one at the 14th-minute mark; the second at the 26th. No stranger to scoring for both club and country, Skinner said: “ I love players that want to get on the pitch and perform. We all like to watch those players and she's one of those.
“She risks the ball when she doesn't need to but she's never going to be perfect because it'd be stupid to ask her to be. Do you know what I love most about her? It's her ability to pivot so quickly forwards that it makes the defender think, shall I press or should I not press? And I think that's a special characteristic of her play.
“I talk her down a little bit because I want to make sure she stays humble but she's a great player and great, great quality for our team.”
Nikita Parris got her name on the team sheet for her first start of the season after netting her first goal for the club against Aston Villa in the Continental Cup and she worked tirelessly to trouble Brighton’s backline.
Alessia Russo, another England Lioness, was unavailable through injury but Skinner gave a positive fitness update after the game, adding: “From what we understand, she is progressing nicely and moving well on the field. So hopefully, two to three weeks and she'll be back in a red shirt."
Manchester United’s next WSL fixture is away to Leicester City on Sunday, October 23rd.
