Tottenham Women 4–0 Man Utd Women: Melvine Malard excels as the team keeps up with the top three in the WSL
Manchester United defeated Tottenham 4-0, with Melvine Malard scoring two goals and providing an assist, to stay in touch with the top three teams in the WSL.
Spurs, who have now given up 11 goals in two games against the Manchester clubs, may have been treated harshly by the scoreline. Over the course of the following week, they will also play twice against Arsenal, including a live WSL match on Sunday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sky Sports.
Since Manchester City also triumphed on Saturday, it fell to Man Utd to secure all three points after the Gunners’ 4-1 victory against Chelsea earlier in the day.
Marc Skinner’s team had some time to overwhelm Tottenham, but Malard scored with the softest of touches on Hannah Blundell’s cross (29) to put her team ahead.
After the interval, Man Utd dominated the match. Malard scored another excellent shot of her own (59) after correctly identifying Toone (51).
Although Hayley Ladd played a significant role in setting up the third goal, it was her own incredible curling strike (84), which sealed another away WSL victory, that won her goal of the night.
Man Utd is currently in third place, four points behind Chelsea and Arsenal, and only one point ahead of Man City. With 12 points, Tottenham is still in sixth place.
How Man Utd won so easily
Tottenham, who had not dropped a game at home in the WSL this year, got off to a fast start. While Maya Le Tissier cleared the ball off the line, Martha Thomas and Bethany England worked Mary Earps for the first time.
Man Utd started to create some excellent opportunities, but the Spurs defense intercepted them. But they pulled ahead just before the half-hour mark.
Malard was rushing off the back of Molly Batrip when Hannah Blundell, celebrating her 150th WSL appearance in style, sent a spectacular cross into the box. To make sure the ball struck the back of the net, the forward then made the tiniest of touches.
Man Utd extended their lead six minutes after the half. Malard displayed excellent hold-up play before lofting the ball forward for Toone to score. Although the England midfielder had come out to meet her, Becky Spencer, she managed to round the goalkeeper and fire home.
Soon after, Man Utd’s third goal gave them complete control. Ladd ran tirelessly from the middle of the box to the edge, where the ball broke and fell to the waiting Malard. She subsequently scored her third goal of the game with a fantastic effort.
In the interim, Geyse missed a shot, but Ladd’s exquisite chip ensured the win. Ladd dug her foot under the ball to hoist it past Spencer after Lucia Garcia, a substitute, had picked her out. It appeared to be a nearly impossible achievement.
Skinner: We found a different way to win
Man Utd boss Marc Skinner to Sky Sports:
“A very warming [performance]. Against Bristol, we were not our bright selves, but tonight on a difficult pitch, I’m pleased with our professional performance. Our energy was great, and it was very dominant.
“Stats do not do us justice, we controlled everything in the game almost, they had a few pot shots, but I was really pleased.
“It is a goal [Malard’s opener] and it started us on the way! We have to mix our styles, the teams are too good in this league, we have to overcome blocks and different barriers and tonight we have done that.
“You have to play direct sometimes, it is a good part of the game. We felt in the first half we were a bit passive in terms of underneath the ball a little bit too much, it let Tottenham have a structure that was quote safe and secure, so we tries to get Nikita [Parris] in the pocket.
“But we are one of the best pressing teams in the league, so it is part of our game. I was pleased with their attitude and I was more pleased with their energy tonight and press than sometimes even the ball play because in this game it had to be a different way to win it and we have found a way tonight. “
Vilahamn: We cannot hurt Man Utd right now – but we will
Tottenham manager Robert Vilahamn to Sky Sports:
“In the first half, it was quite good defensive work. It was even, we protected the goal well and we created a few counter-attacks then of course they scored a few too many goals in the second half.
“But they only had five shots on target so they are very effective when they get the chances. We tried until the better end, we tried to do everything we could but we played against a very good team.
“This is where we are right now – we’re trying to play and we cannot really hurt them right now, but in the long term, we’re going to do it. We need to work a little bit more.
“Goals affect games and self-confidence and everything. Also in the second half, if they didn’t score so early, we would have a good chance to come into this game. But Man Utd are a good team, they are better than us and sometimes you just need to congratulate them.
“The defence is still something to work on, the transitions need to be a little bit sharper. Then we need to defend the box better, we need to make sure they [Arsenal next weekend] don’t score those easy goals, but we have a good week in front of us and we’re going to make sure we do our best.”
Toone: I like scoring chips apparently!
Player of the match Ella Toone to Sky Sports:
“I like scoring chips apparently! It’s a great ball from Mel [Malard], I ran in behind and saw the goalkeeper coming out. All I needed to do was get it over her and luckily it went into the back of the net.
We knew it was going to be difficult. Tottenham are a really good side and they made it difficult for us, especially in the first half. But we showed that grit and that character we have in the team. It wasn’t always pretty but we managed to get the three points.
“[At half-time] just keep sticking with the game plan and move it quick. It’s always hard on pitches where it bobbles to get the game going, but we kept sticking with it, got in behind and got the goals.
“We know we’ve got players who can come off the bench and change games and get on scoresheet. It’s nice when goals come from all over the pitch.”
England: Devastated for result, but there are positives
Tottenham captain Bethany England to Sky Sports:
“It was a proud moment for me to lead the team out for the first time as captain of this club. I couldn’t have asked for a better welcome from the fans for the girls, but I’m devastated for the result.
“I wanted to play more [minutes]. The physios are just doing their jobs and I appreciated we’ve got a big week coming up with three games so I’ve got to walk before I can run. I’m more frustrated that I had a chance in the first half which would have changed the dynamic of the game if we’d gone 1-0 up, but it is what it is.
“In the first half, I thought we really frustrated Man Utd. We had our defensive shape, we were compact, we were pushing them into areas. We conceded a few chances, but we did well.
“As a whole with the performance, I thought we were structurally really good and they just opened us up in the second half. It’s frustrating but there are positives to take from it.
“We’re not the finished article yet. There’s a long way to go to get near the top four, but we’re making the right strides. The loss to Man City and today doesn’t look good on us, but it doesn’t define our season. I know we’ll be putting in performances to be proud of.”
WHATS NEXT?
On Wednesday, December 13, Tottenham takes on Arsenal in the Women’s League Cup, the first of two consecutive North London Derby matches. Start at 7:00 p.m. Spurs will host the WSL on Saturday, December 16, live on Sky Sports, three days later. Launch at 12 p.m.
On Thursday, December 14, Manchester United takes on Leicester in the Women’s League Cup. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Then, on Sunday, December 17, Liverpool pays them a visit in the WSL. Start time is 12:15 p.m.
