United strike late as points shared in WSL clash

Maya Le Tissier grabbed a late leveller for Manchester United as a hard-fought performance saw us secure a 2-2 draw at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday afternoon in the Barclays Women's Super League.

Having fallen behind early in the first half, Melvine Malard giving the hosts the lead, two goals in two minutes saw us turn the game around on the half hour mark, Bethany England grabbing her second goal of the WSL campaign before Jess Naz with a lovely finish from just inside the area.

United came out in the second half and, unsurprisingly, were on the front foot as they searched for an equaliser but we defended resolutely, producing some last-ditch tackles and Becky Spencer in inspiring form, however, Le Tissier was in the right place at the right time to head home from point-blank range in the final few minutes to see the points shared in Manchester.

Matilda Vinberg was one of the two changes that Robert Vilahamn made to his starting XI, coming in for Celin Bizet who missed out due to a minor injury, and the Sweden international created a golden opportunity to open the scoring inside the opening minute.

Vinberg fizzed a low cross to the back post and picked out an on-rushing England, but our captain fired her first-time effort over the bar. After a positive start, the hosts grew into the game and took the lead on the 13^th minute as Malard headed home Gemma Evans’ free-kick from just inside our own half.

Spencer then denied Malard moments later, getting down low to her left to push away her shot, and, as the clock ticked towards the half hour mark, the game turned into our favour and we brought the game level as the ball fell to Drew Spence on the edge of the box and her effort on the half-volley went through a number of bodies, coming off England and she directed it past Mary Earps to net in back-to-back games in the WSL.

Two minutes later, Naz grabbed just her second goal in the league - her sixth in all competitions – to completely turn the game around. Vinberg advanced to the byline before pulling it back to our number seven just outside the box, she showed some lovely footwork to create space before picking out the top left corner with an excellent left-footed strike.

United started the second half strongly and we were forced to produce some fantastic last-ditch tackles to deny them the leveller, Kit Graham getting a foot in to stop Nikita Parris from close-range before Luana Bühler got in front of Malard to block her effort as a cross came from the right.

Spencer showed some fantastic reactions to claw away Lisa Naaslund’s effort heading into the top right corner after a scramble inside the box from a corner, while Ella Toone and Lucia Garcia linked-up well down the right-hand side, with the latter’s cross headed wide by former Spur Rachel Williams.

United continued to push for an equaliser and, in injury time, their pressure eventually prevailed as Williams rose highest to a corner, her header crashed off the crossbar but Le Tissier was there to force the ball across the line to secure a point for United in the final few minutes.

Match data

Goals: Man Utd – Malard 13, Le Tissier 90+2; Spurs – England 29, Naz 31.

Yellow cards: Man Utd – Turner 58; Spurs – Vinberg 60, Nilden 63, Graham 86, Ahtinen 90+2.

Referee: Rebecca Welch.

Stadium: Leigh Sports Village.

Weather: Sunny, 12 degrees.

Attendance: 4,637.