Manchester United left North London with a comfortable if unexciting 1-0 win over a struggling Tottenham side. Elisabeth Terland’s fifth-minute goal secured the win for United as the striker continued her habit of scoring against the Lilywhites. Early in the game Tottenham could barely lay a finger on a United side that has their sights set on UEFA Women’s Champions League qualification and are second in the Barclays Women’s Super League table.
As it happened
The recent history of this fixture is impossible to ignore. Several players have moved between the two clubs, with former Spurs player Celine Bizet booed by the home support throughout the match, and Manchester United’s 4-0 win over Spurs in last year’s FA Cup final meant that tensions were high.
United drew first blood in the fifth minute after catching Spurs napping. After failing to deal with the original danger, Spurs gave the ball straight to Jayde Riviere out wide whose inch-perfect ball found Elisabeth Terland. She struck it beautifully on the volley to put them in front – her sixth goal in six matches against Spurs.
Embed from Getty ImagesThat early goal for the visitors was the worst possible outcome for a neutral. United proceeded to dominate the first 20 minutes and not take any unnecessary risks on the ball, while Spurs were happy to sit back and give them possession.
Soon after Spurs woke up and looked to punish United’s high line. A darting run in behind gave Hayley Raso plenty of time to think about her next move, but after cutting inside to get free, her shot ended up closer to the corner flag as it bobbled wide and didn’t trouble United keeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
From then on it was a slightly more even contest as Vilahamn’s side upped their intensity. However with new signing Josefine Rybrink starting inthe defensive midfield role, the lack of chemistry in the middle of the park was clear as day as they failed to make their mark on the game.
Embed from Getty ImagesAs United regained control of the game, they became more aggressive in attack. They were happy to let shots fly from distance; Dominique Janssen connected first time with a cutback to the edge of the box. She saw her effort deflected wide. That was soon followed by an even more audacious attempt from Ella Toone from range when she spotted Lize Kop off her line. This just clipped the post though and the half ended at 1-0.
Both managers appeared to have tried to up their team’s tempo in the second half as both came out flying. Spurs almost found an equaliser immediately after the break as United this time failed to clear their lines. Still, the ensuing goalmouth scramble came to nothing despite multiple attempts to break down a tough United block.
The Red Devils refused to lose focus and found life against Spurs easier the longer the half went on. They nearly scored a wonderful team goal after toying with their prey and getting Ella Toone free out wide. She floated a dangerous ball over the defenders, but Terland couldn’t get it under control.
Embed from Getty ImagesTerland was everywhere, her selflessness caused constant headaches for a tiring Spurs defence. Her and Millie Turner combined well to cut open Spurs as they looked to kill the game, and Turner’s drilled effort would have found the back of the net if not for Kop’s quick reflexes.
Terland’s early goal would prove vital as the game petered out with United refusing to give up control, ultimately leaving the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with all three points and in second place. Spurs sit sixth.
The lineups
TOT: Kop, Bartrip, Nilden, Naz, Raso, England (C), Oroz, Rybrink, Hunt, Thomas, Neville.
MAN: Tullis-Joyce, George, Le Tissier (C), Toone, Galton, Riviere, Bizet, Janssen, Terland, Miyazawa, Turner