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Skinner urges Red Devils to be ruthless in attack after Man United see off Brighton in top three battle

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MARC SKINNER wants Manchester United to ramp up their ruthlessness in front of goal following their battling 2-0 win on the road.

Strikes from Hayley Ladd and Vilde Boe Risa saw the visitors catch Brighton cold in Crawley – easing pressure on the Leigh Park Village boss.

Marc Skinner’s Manchester United dispatched Brighton following their four-game winless runCredit: Alamy
United are two points behind Tottenham who moved up to third after beating Aston VillaCredit: Reuters

And it led to the end of a winless run stretching back to October 9, whilst gaining ground on Albion with both level on 15 points.

The result saw United temporarily go fourth and one place behind Brighton before Tottenham leapfrogged both sides to go third after a 2-1 defeat of Aston Villa 2-1.

Skinner, whose side Everton in the Conti Cup, said: “That was one of our most dominant performances in terms of a complete package where we defended well, created numerous chances and we built up well.

“The only thing I felt that could be missing is that we have to be ruthless in that final third because it should have been six goals for us.

“We’ve got to keep putting ourselves in position to be in and around the Champions League places.

“We have to try our best to do the things that we’ve done in this game in our upcoming ones.”  

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Before the match, Hope Powell talked of being under no illusion of results changing quickly for the Seagulls following five wins from their first nine games.

And the hosts, who were without injured Inessa Kaagman, came under pressure early on with Boe Risa a constant threat for the visitors.

The Norway ace and Megan Walsh engaged in an entertaining duel in the game with the midfielder forcing a classy sixth-minute double-save from the stopper.

And Brighton’s Megan Connolly got into a good position on an Albion attack but blazed her 12th-minute effort over the bar.

United – who had 13 shots on target – saw a 21st minute Ladd strike easily saved by Walsh moments before Lucy Staniforth went one-on-one with the stopper before being waved offside.

And Boe Risa had a superb chance to net near the half-hour mark, latching on to a dangerous ball over Albion’s defence with Walsh blocking her shot at the near post.

Just as it looked as if the score would remain goalless at half-time Ladd put the visitors ahead with a deflected injury-time effort.

The second spell saw Powell attempt to ramp up her attack with Danielle Carter coming on in place of Fliss Gibbons.

And Brighton had a decent chance to level around the 60th minute with Victoria Williams’ attempt to bundle in a cross bravely thwarted by Mary Earp.

Vilde Boe Risa netted her first goal in the top tier following her summer switch to Man UnitedCredit: Reuters

But United solidified their lead with Russo’s whipping a ball into the box for Boe Risa to poke home her first WSL goal.

And the visitors saw out the 2-0 win with Brighton facing a tough league clash with Arsenal following a Conti Cup duel with West Ham.

Powell said: “It was not a good day for us although in the second half we did come out a bit better.

“We didn’t really string passes well together in the game.

“We weren’t at the races, but that’s a credit to United as they were very physical and moved the ball quickly.”

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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk

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