United Women show fighting spirit but fall to a narrow 3-4 defeat to Arsenal in final WSL match of the season

Manchester United Women travelled to the Emirates Stadium looking to beat Arsenal and finish second in the Women’s Super League.

The visitors got off to the worst start possible when a rare error from Phallon Tullis-Joyce gave Chloe Kelly a golden opportunity to grab a goal.

The American keeper flapped at a cross, and the resulting rebound was well-controlled by Kelly, who found the top of the net to hand the Gunners the perfect start in only the second minute of the game.

United rallied however, and Grace Clinton drew an outstanding stop from Arsenal’s Manuela Zinsberger with a long range effort.

From the resulting corner, Marc Skinner’s side were level when Anna Sandberg’s corner wasn’t dealt with by the Arsenal defence and Ella Toone headed home.

The England international has not had the same impact as last season but will hope the goal gives her the confidence to have a big say in next weekend’s FA Cup final.

Both sides struggled to carve out many opportunities but the home side were inches away from taking the lead again on 30 minutes.

After some good work down the right-hand side, the ball broke to Frida Maanum, but her shot thankfully drifted just wide of Tullis-Joyce’s goal.

Neither side could find a second goal before half-time, but little did they know, the floodgates were about to open after the half time break.

Just after the break, Caitlin Foord was clumsily brought down by Clinton and a penalty was awarded. Mariona Caldentey stepped up and sent United’s keeper the wrong way to restore their lead.

Arsenal then scored a stupendous third just moments later. Katie McCabe played a wonderful ball in behind the United defence and Frida Maanum curled in an unstoppable effort into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

The Gunners were now in total control and United looked crestfallen. On the 61st minute, things got even worse for Marc Skinner’s side as Kim Little fired a ferocious effort into the back of the net, giving Tullis-Joyce no chance once again.

Many teams would have folded but not this United side.

Just nine minutes later, United had a lifeline. Elisabeth Terland took advantage of a loose pass by the Arsenal defence and fired in her side’s second of the match.

The ball took a wicked deflection that looped over the home side’s keeper and gave United hope of a remarkable comeback.

Just six minutes later, the visitors grabbed another to cut Arsenal’s lead to one.

Celine Bizet cleverly steered the ball away from McCabe and the Irish defender took out United’s Norwegian to give Le Tissier the chance to score from the penalty spot.

United’s captain stepped up and made no mistake from 12 yards to pile the pressure on the home side.

Arsenal pushed forward looking to respond but both Alessia Russo and Beth Mead’s attempts were blocked by the defence.

The Red Devils pushed for an equaliser but were ultimately unsuccessful and had to settle for third position in the league.

Nonetheless, the fight shown by the young side will have impressed Skinner and they will hope to improve defensively before next weekend’s crucial FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley.

Feature image Jan Kruger via Getty Images

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