Manchester United climbed to the top of the Women's Super League table with a 2-0 victory over Liverpool on Sunday afternoon. The Red Devils did all of the damage in what was a dominant first-half performance as a wonderful strike from Hinata Miyazawa and a cool finish from Ella Toone maintained their side’s unbeaten start to the new league season.
In Liverpool’s first home league match following the tragic death of former manager Matt Beard, United raced into an early lead thanks to Miyazawa’s fantastic strike. The Japan international could have had a second but she hit the post with another effort, before Toone coolly slotted past debutant goalkeeper Rafaela Borggrafe to double the visitors’ lead.
In the second half, Liverpool had a great chance to pull a goal back when United captain Maya Le Tissier didn’t get enough distance on her clearance, but Kirsty Maclean couldn’t keep her shot down. Cornelia Kapocs was then through on goal but she fired wide under pressure from Jayde Riviere. Kapocs asked for a penalty but her appeals were quickly waved away.
Liverpool continued to push for what would have been just their second WSL goal of the season as substitute Mia Enderby forced a good save from United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce. But after a flurry of late substitutions, United were able to take the sting out of the match en route to recording just their second victory over Liverpool in their last five league meetings.
GOAL rates United's players from the Totally Wicked Stadium…
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Phallon Tullis-Joyce (6/10):
She made a good save to deny substitute Enderby late on.
Jayde Riviere (6/10):
The defender propelled United forward by moving the ball quickly. Liverpool wanted a penalty when she challenged Kapocs before being substituted.
Maya Le Tissier (7/10):
The skipper was relieved when her headed clearance fell straight to Maclean, who fired over from a good position. Otherwise she was brilliant.
Dominique Janssen (7/10):
Alongside Le Tissier she helped form a solid wall in front of her goal, while her passing was very good as well.
Fridolina Rolfo (6/10):
It was a fairly quiet afternoon for the Sweden star with United's best moments coming in other areas of the pitch.
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Julia Zigiotti Olme (7/10):
Perhaps she will be disappointed not to have done better with a header in the first half. She defended well, though.
Hinata Miyazawa (8/10):
Her amazing strike from distance set the tone for United. She was unlucky not to score another, with her effort striking the post.
Ella Toone (8/10):
She combined well with her team-mates all game, before scoring United's second with a calm finish.
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Jess Park (7/10):
She was superb down the right-hand side, causing all sorts of problems with her running power.
Elisabeth Terland (7/10):
She passed up one or two chances to score but she recorded a great assist for Toone's goal.
Melvine Malard (6/10):
Curled in a great cross for Julia Zigiotti Olme, who perhaps should have done better with her header.
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Gabby George (5/10):
A second-half substitute, Liverpool's Enderby got in behind her and forced a good save from Tullis-Joyce.
Celin Bizet (N/A):
She was introduced late on and helped United to victory.
Lisa Naalsund (N/A):
Another late substitute, she didn't have enough time to make an impact.
Rachel Williams (N/A):
Emerging from the bench, she too was not on the pitch long enough to influence things.
Marc Skinner (7/10):
He got his pre-match team talk spot on as United were excellent in the first half.