Manchester United Women’s manager, Marc Skinner, praised Elisabeth Terland’s tenacity for her second strike and Grace Clinton’s outstanding aerial ability for the third goal, branding them the “two magic key moments” that secured their victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday.
United beat Palace 3-1 at Leight Sports Village courtesy of Terland’s double and Clinton’s headed finish.
Terland fired United ahead just nine minutes in, taking advantage of a poor clearance by Palace goalkeeper Milla-Maj Majasaari. The striker completed a neat turn and finish to roll the ball into the bottom corner.
She nearly had a second a few minutes later but struck the post with her effort. Palace restored parity before the interval, through Mille Gejl, who warded off Hinata Miyazawa before burying her shot past Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
United took the lead again after the ball fell kindly into the path of Terland, who skilfully rounded the goalkeeper and easily tucked it in. Clinton secured all three points for the hosts, getting on the end of a sensational free-kick delivery from Toone.
Skinner spoke to club media after the final whistle and gave his verdict on the match. The United boss said, “Yeah, a lot of credit to them [Palace]. They were still attacking with five players even at the end, so I think they’ve chosen if they’re going to challenge to stay in the league, they’re gonna try to score goals rather than just block up and defend.”
“But I always felt we would make it inevitable. The first half we made it too transitional. We were trying to score everytime we went forward and then it opened up…when you do that, it opens up counter-attacks. We spoke about it at half-time, how to control that and second half was much more controlled from us.”
“Credit to all the players for taking that onboard and putting it into action really. So we made it inevitable in the second half, which I’m really happy with.”
On Terland’s second goal and Clinton’s header, Skinner remarked, “They’re key timings. Terland earns her second goal through the tenacity she showed all game and you know Grace’s finishing…she’s very good in the air.”
“But the ball from Toone is perfect as well, so those two magic key moments and look, we should have scored more, I think Celin [Bizet] has a chance where she scores nine times out of ten. So, it should have probably been more but those key moments and finding a little bit of detail was the difference in the game for sure.”
Skinner added about Clinton “We did it for a purpose [leaving her on the pitch]. In the first half, because we went too direct too quick, we didn’t get up into that attacking shape, which meant that Grace was caught in a space where she won’t be as effective as she is in the number 10 pocket.”
“I think what we felt was that when the second half was coming on, we wanted Grace’s quality in the tight pockets but also when she’s in the box, she can be deadly as well. We wanted to keep that threat on and I felt like we could play with a single pivot at that point. We did a great job, good decision and it’s a good finish from her.”
On Terland’s brace, Skinner pointed out, “Goals are goals but what she gives to the team is an incredible intensity.”
“A work rate, it sums up who we are. It’s work rate, intensity, energy, commitment…you can get behind that as a team. It makes you feel good as a fan that you watching this team that’s playing for you and she epitomised that. And then look, she’s deadly, the first finish is beautiful, the second is all about her tenacity to do it.”
“They’re even bigger parts to her game than the goals. What she gives to the team is great. If you want to be a forward, just watch the energy she gives to the team.”
United remain second in the WSL table, seven points below leaders Chelsea and three points above Arsenal.
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
