In a thrilling encounter at Leigh Sports Village, Manchester United Women secured a crucial 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace, narrowing the gap to league leaders Chelsea to just four points in the Women’s Super League (WSL). Despite a spirited performance from the visitors, who are rooted to the bottom of the table, Marc Skinner’s side showed resilience and quality to claim all three points and keep their title hopes alive.
A Bright Start and Early Breakthrough
United started the match with intent, dominating possession and creating early chances. A slick passing move involving Ella Toone, Grace Clinton, and Hinata Miyazawa nearly resulted in the opening goal, but Clinton and Elisabeth Terland got in each other’s way, failing to direct the ball towards the net.
However, the breakthrough came just nine minutes in. A poor clearance from Palace’s Milla-Maj Majasaari fell to Clinton, who quickly found Miyazawa. The Japanese international played a precise pass to Terland, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom right corner to give United the lead.
The home side continued to press, with Leah Galton delivering a dangerous cross that Terland prodded onto the far post. Despite their dominance, United were unable to extend their lead, and Palace grew into the game as the first half progressed.
Palace Strike Back Against the Run of Play
Against the run of play, Crystal Palace equalised in the 38th minute. Lily Susan Woodham’s clever ball over the top found Mille Gejl, who outpaced the United defence and unleashed a powerful strike past Phallon Tullis-Joyce. The precision of the finish left the United goalkeeper with no chance, and the visitors went into the break level.
The first half ended in controversy as Terland appealed for a penalty after going down under pressure from Palace defender Katrine Veje. However, the referee waved away the appeals, leaving the teams tied at halftime.
Second-Half Resurgence and Clinical Finishing
The second half began with Palace showing more attacking intent, but it was United who came closest to retaking the lead. Majasaari spilled a cross into the path of Galton, whose shot was saved before Toone’s follow-up effort was miraculously cleared off the line by Allyson Swaby.
United’s persistence paid off in the 64th minute. A deflected pass from Clinton fell kindly to Terland, who, despite not making the cleanest connection, managed to guide the ball past Majasaari to restore the home side’s lead.
Terland, who was a constant threat, nearly completed her hat-trick moments later but was unable to keep her effort on target. United continued to create chances, with Celin Bizet heading wide from an excellent Anna Sandberg cross, but the decisive third goal finally arrived in the 85th minute.
Ella Toone’s perfectly delivered free-kick was met by Grace Clinton, who headed the ball over the stranded Majasaari and into the net, sealing the victory for United.
A Statement Win in the Title Race
The victory sees United close the gap on Chelsea at the top of the WSL table, with just four points now separating the two sides. While the performance was far from flawless, Skinner’s team showed the grit and determination needed to grind out results in a tightly contested title race.
For Crystal Palace, the defeat leaves them languishing at the bottom of the table, but their spirited display will offer hope as they battle to avoid relegation.
Looking Ahead: A Crucial Month for United
United will now face a brief hiatus due to international commitments before returning to action on Sunday, 2nd March, with a league clash against Leicester City. Following that, they will take on Championship side Sunderland in the FA Cup quarter-finals, with a place in the semi-finals at stake.
The upcoming fixtures represent a pivotal period for Skinner’s side as they look to maintain their title challenge and progress in the cup. With key players like Terland, Toone, and Clinton in fine form, United will be confident of continuing their impressive run.
Conclusion: Momentum Builds for United
Manchester United Women’s victory over Crystal Palace was a testament to their resilience and attacking quality. While the performance had its flaws, the result keeps them firmly in the hunt for the WSL title and sets the stage for an exciting end to the season.
As the team prepares for a crucial month of fixtures, the focus will be on maintaining momentum and capitalising on their opportunities. For now, United fans can celebrate a hard-fought win and dream of what could be a historic season for the women’s team.
