Man United 3 Tottenham 0: Skinner hails ‘dominance’ of Red Devils as United go second and WSL title race intensifies
MARC SKINNER praised Manchester’s United dismantling of Tottenham following their ruthless 3-0 win on home turf.
A Leah Galton tap-in was among the goals that saw the team leapfrog Chelsea to go second after the Blues’ scoreless draw at Brighton.
The result has some Red Devils fans talking of a potential title challenge in the midst of a fierce battle to finish in the league’s top three spots.
However, the WSL champs have two games in hand on Skinner’s side who face Bridgwater in the FA Cup next.
The United gaffer said: “When I look at Tottenham and the wonderful traits, they have in terms of how hard they work, that can easily make you come unstuck come
“We had to overcome that and what we did brilliantly was we worked them.
“We made them work and moved the ball in a way to make them do so. We knew at the end of the three-game week they would tire.
“That was a hard-fought game but two dominant performances (including the win at Arsenal ).
“I’m glad that we’ve seen it over the line because we were by far the better team.”
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United’s victory came hours after the club were dealt a blow with Millie Turner’s absence from their squad following a neck artery issue.
A statement on their website said the defender is set to be out of action for an ‘indefinite period’ following medical checks.
Skinner added: “Millie is in wonderful spirits and credit to our medical team for finding the what the problem was.
“What it does mean is she’s on the road to being mended.”
The hosts had most of the best, attacking chances in the first half with Galton and Ella Toone looking dangerous on the break.
After a goalless 30 minutes, the visitors came close to taking a lead against the run of play.
Rachel Williams outpaced her marker to deliver a dangerous low cross into the box with Jessica Naz narrowly missing the chance to slide in a goal.
The 0-0 scoreline lasted until the 38th minute before Vilde Boe Risa put her side ahead.
The midfielder evaded Rosella Ayane to volley home a close-range effort following a Katie Zelem corner.
The hosts doubled their lead minutes later with Hayley Ladd heading home Ella Toone’s curled-in cross.
The second period saw Skinner make a series of substitutions including Martha Thomas coming on for Alessia Russo around the 60th minute
And the striker made an instant impact whipping in a cross for Galton to tap in United’s third at close range.
Tottenham nearly pulled a goal back in the 78th minute after Williams came close to burying Ashleigh Neville’s curled-in delivery.
But the hosts saw out the match to keep a sixth straight clean sheet and seal a third home win from their last three home games.
The result leaves Tottenham lying in fourth before their FA Cup duel with Leicester, and Man City’s league clash with Arsenal.
Rehanne Skinner said: “We’re really open to looking at mistakes that we’ve made or things that we weren’t happy with.
“This squad is always keen to learn and to get better and to improve the next performance.”