MANCHESTER UNITED won ugly over Tottenham thanks to a decisive header by Millie Turner to send the Red Devils to the top of the WSL for the first time in their history.
Of course they have played one more game than their rivals, but Casey Stoney has only had TWO-years to build a title-chasing side since the club was reformed after a 13-year hiatus.
Millie Turner’s header helped Man United reach the WSL’s top spot for the first time in their historyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
They had to wait 67-minutes to get the breakthrough in north London – but it was enough to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.
Spurs stay rooted in mid-table as star-signing Alex Morgan was again forced to wait for her long-awaited debut.
United lost 3-1 to Liverpool in the League Cup last time out and perfectionist boss Stoney said: “I’m never satisfied, I want to win more comfortably, with better performances, we’re still building.
“It has been a tough week emotionally and physically, the players aren’t even allowed out, so that takes its toll,
“But I’ve put a ban on my players from watching football now so they can refresh on their time off!
“I’m pleased for Millie, she knows better than anyone she was poor last time out against Liverpool, but she reacted brilliantly.”
The visitors had the first sniff when Christen Press provided an inch-perfect cross to her USA compatriot Tobin Heath who flashed a header agonisingly wide of the left-post.
But the hosts hit back strongly and Rosella Ayane broke free twice in front of Mary Earps’ goal, unleashing a fierce drive inches from the post on both occasions.
Turner (left) and her team-mates battled their way to a win following a league cup match loss to Liverpool this weekCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Man United will face West Ham in their next WSL fixtureCredit: Rex Features
After the break Becky Spencer shirked her duties and almost gifted United the lead when she scuppered her clearance – but no one was there to make the crucial touch.
Slowly, surely, steadily, United first established a foothold, then a gradual dominance. They just needed another sniff of goal.
That arrived when Heath drilled in a corner that brought a great reaction from Turner who was loitering in the area to bury a header for her first goal since April.
Tottenham’s star signing Alex Morgan (left) watched United defeat her team 3-1Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Siri Worm nearly clawed one back for Spurs after sending a free-kick curling and dipping just wide.
Spurs boss Juan Amoros said: “I’m truly gutted for the players and the fans, we really deserved at least a point if we had taken those chances at the start.
“The performances from us are very good, we are playing some of the top teams, we know they are very good and we need to be at our best.“At the moment we are not clinical enough but I’m very positive with this group of players.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
