United Women secure tight away victory to move within touching distance of WSL summit

Manchester United Women took on Brighton and Hove Albion in the first match after the October international break. First half The home side had the first real opportunity of the game when the ball rebounded to Maisie Symonds but she could only sky her effort over the top of the bar. Jess Park has been a revelation for United since signing from Manchester City in the summer and she responded for the visitors but her shot was easily collected by Chiamaka Nnadozie in the Seagulls’ goal. Melvine Malard has also been in fine form this season and she was next to threaten the Brighton goal but unfortunately her finishing let her down as she fired wide. Ella Toone then had an effort that was spilled by Nnadozie but she recovered just in time to prevent Toone from putting in the rebound. United finally found the breakthrough just before half-time though as their patience paid off. Toone’s ball bounced off Julia Zigiotti Olme and landed perfectly for Terland. The Norwegian has been lethal this season and made no mistake to coolly slot in against her former side to give Marc Skinner’s side the lead just before the half time break. Second half Brighton responded well after the break and Marisa Olislagers weaved her way through the United defence but could not find the target with a wild effort on goal. Brighton’s experienced Fran Kirby was next to try her luck but once again she could not keep a shot down as it blazed over Phallon Tullis-Joyce’s goal. This United side is made of tough stuff though and they weathered the storm before finding their second goal on a sunny south coast. Toone pulled off a lovely swivel move in the box and laid the ball off for Park who took the effort first time and swept it past the helpless Brighton goalkeeper. In an uncharacteristic lapse of concentration, United let the hosts back into the game only moments after their second strike. Olislagers pierced the United defence with a fine ball that found Kirby in the box, who took one touch and fired the ball past Tullis-Joyce. Both sides searched for another crucial goal thereafter and Terland almost grabbed her second of the afternoon but her header was well tipped over by Nnadozie. United finally scored their third when the impressive Park held the ball up well and laid it off to Lisa Naalsund who smashed the ball into the net. Marc Skinner’s side should have been home and dry but Maya Le Tissier lost control of the ball and Kiko Seike got in on goal and lifted the ball over Tullis-Joyce to give Brighton hope. Luckily United held on for the win that saw them move within two points of Chelsea at the top of the table. The Red Devils will be in action again next Saturday when they welcome Aston Villa to the Progress With Unity Stadium. Jess Park stats versus Brighton Women StatisticValue Goals1 Assists1 Key Passes4 Crosses (Accurate)3 (0) Accurate Passes47/55 (85%) Passes in Opposition Half (Acc.)37/46 (80%) Passes in Own Half (Acc.)10/12 (83%) Long Balls (Accurate)1/2 (50%) Total Shots4 Shots on Target2 Shots Blocked2 Touches76 Unsuccessful Touches1 Dribbles (Successful)3 (3) Possession Lost13 Tackles (Won)0 (0) Interceptions0 Clearances3 Blocked Shots1 Recoveries6 Ground Duels (Won)4 (3) Aerial Duels (Won)0 (0) Dribbled Past0 Featured image Molly Darlington via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Alex Browne Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Alex has a Master’s degree from Queen’s University Belfast and La Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain. Having lived in the country since 2011, Alex is The Peoples Person’s Spanish football expert and is fluent in both Spanish and Catalan. He dreams of witnessing a United captain triumphantly hoisting the Premier League and Champions League trophy in the air once more.