Controlled Manchester United Ease Past Sloppy Spurs

Manchester United won at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium thanks to an early goal from Elisabeth Terland.

Recent history has shown that this fixture can provide it all: goal-fest FA Cup finals (a 4-0 win for United), and high scoring WSL games. With united on form and Spurs coming into the game off a 2-0 defeat to Everton, you would be forgiven for expecting a similarly high scoring game this time out.

What actually occurred was more measured and less of a classic. Spurs were in fifth, and with a win could move above Brighton and edge closer to the all-important European spots. A win for United would keep them in second and open up a five point gap with their Manchester rivals in blue.

United opened the match by immediately putting the spurs defence under pressure. Spurs struggled to get out of their own half for the opening period, and eventually the inevitable happened as Rivere superbly crossed to Terland who finished well. 

After conceding, spurs had pockets of momentum and a small number of chances. They struggled to make a real impact, however, and United keeper Tullis-Joyce was never really tested.

The second half began in much the same vein, with United pressing well. Spurs were sloppy in passing out from the back, and United nearly capitalised on more than one occasion. However, the scoreline stayed at 1-0. The United substitutes included Sandberg and Mannion, as Janssen was withdrawn through injury (which will be a concern for United and Netherlands fans, as she headed straight down the tunnel). 

Spurs best chance of the match came late on as England headed over. 

Overall, the game was entertaining if not a classic. United look confident across the pitch, and Spurs lacked the quality to truly work the United defence.

Teams: Manchester United: Tullis-Joyce, George (Sandberg 64’), Le Tissier, Turner, Rivere (Mansion 90’) Janssen (Awujo 65’), Miyazawa, Galton (Malard 64’), Bizet, Toone, Terland.

Scorer: Elizabeth Terland 6’

Tottenham Hotspur: Kop, Neville, Hunt, Bartrip, Nilden, Rybrink (Ciziki 86’), Oroz, Naz (Vinberg 86’), Thomas (Holt 77’), England.

Referee: Kirsty Dowle