Manchester United have continued their push for a first Barclays Women’s Super League title with a 3-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at The Leigh Sports Village this afternoon.
Leah Galton, Alessia Russo and Nikita Parris got the goals as The Red Devils marched on at the league summit.
It was an electric opening few minutes with both sides having good chances to take the lead. The best chance fell the way of Beth England when she rounded Mary Earps in the Manchester United goal, only to be denied at the last by a crucial recovery challenge from Maya Le Tissier.
The hosts, almost galvanised by that let off, continued to pepper the Tottenham Hotspur goal, yet they were repeatedly denied by some fine goalkeeping from Tinja-Riikka Korpela.
It took a mistake at the back to finally get the better of the Spurs keeper. A loose pass from former Manchester United defender Amy Turner was pounced upon by April’s Barclays Women’s Super League Player of the Month Galton. The Manchester United number 11 kept her composure to guide the ball around Korpela with the outside of her boot to put her side ahead.
Just moments later, The Red Devils doubled their lead. A corner was flicked on at the near post and Manchester United’s star striker Russo reacted quickest to emphatically hammer the ball into the top corner, giving Korpela no time to respond as she could only watch the ball fly past her.
The hosts then increased their commanding lead early in the second half when Spurs failed to clear a Galton cross and Parris had time to control the ball and ruthlessly fire it past Korpela.
It was a hugely convincing win for Marc Skinner’s side and one that opens up a six-point gap at the top of the table. With just two league games remaining for The Red Devils, today’s victory all-but-secures the club’s first-ever top three finish in the Barclays Women’s Super League, along with European qualification.
Manchester United’s attention now turns to a huge Vitality Women’s FA Cup final clash against Chelsea next weekend as they look to claim their first major piece of silverware. As for Tottenham Hotspur, they are closing in on safety but may need one more result to make absolutely sure of Barclays Women’s Super League football in 2023/2024.