Malard shines in dominant Man Utd victory at Spurs

2 years ago 36

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Last updated on 1 minute ago.From the section Women's Football

Maya Le Tissier (left) and Bethany England

Manchester United kept pace in the Women's Super League title race with a comfortable victory at Tottenham Hotspur.

Melvine Malard starred, scoring twice and assisting Ella Toone for her side's second goal, while Hayley Ladd added a late fourth.

United's win keeps them four points behind leaders Chelsea and a point and place off the Champions League places.

Spurs are sixth and now winless in five league games.

United broke through shortly before the half-hour mark when miscommunication between Spurs keeper Becky Spencer and her defence allowed a deep Hannah Blundell cross to bounce between them and Malard got a toe to the ball to steer it home.

Toone then raced on to Malard's lofted ball and finished past Spencer early in the second half, before United's French number nine curled home a first-time shot from the edge of the box.

Ladd rounded off the scoring with six minutes left - a smart finish from 18 yards past the wrong-footed Spencer for the 11th goal Spurs have conceded in their last two matches.

A sole source of comfort in their first home league defeat of the season was the return of striker Bethany England. Spurs' England international played 55 minutes in her first game of the season following hip surgery.

More follows.

Relive coverage of Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United, plus reaction to Sunday's other Women's Super League games

Line-ups

Tottenham Women

Formation 4-4-2

22Spencer
29Neville
4Turner
5Bartrip
3Zadorsky
14Bizet IldhusøySubstituted forPetzelbergerat 80'minutes
12Percival
15James
7NazBooked at 49minsSubstituted forAyaneat 56'minutes
17ThomasSubstituted forZhangat 80'minutes
9EnglandSubstituted forGrahamat 56'minutes

Substitutes

1Votíková
11Petzelberger
13Ale
16Graham
18Zhang
21Bühler
23Ayane
26Pearse
47Boughton

Man Utd Women

Formation 4-2-3-1

27Earps
14Riviere
4Le Tissier
21TurnerSubstituted forEvansat 87'minutes
6Blundell
10Zelem
12Ladd
22ParrisSubstituted forGarcíaat 67'minutes
7TooneSubstituted forNaalsundat 87'minutes
11GaltonSubstituted forWilliamsat 82'minutes
9MalardSubstituted forda Silva Ferreiraat 67'minutes

Substitutes

15Evans
16Naalsund
17García
23da Silva Ferreira
28Williams
39Middleton-Patel
91Tullis-Joyce

Live Text

Match ends, Tottenham Hotspur Women 0, Manchester United Women 4.
Second Half ends, Tottenham Hotspur Women 0, Manchester United Women 4.
Attempt saved. Katie Zelem (Manchester United Women) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Rachel Williams.
Substitution, Manchester United Women. Gemma Evans replaces Millie Turner.
Substitution, Manchester United Women. Lisa Naalsund replaces Ella Toone.
Geyse Ferreira (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Shelina Zadorsky (Tottenham Hotspur Women).
Goal! Tottenham Hotspur Women 0, Manchester United Women 4. Hayley Ladd (Manchester United Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Lucía García.
Substitution, Manchester United Women. Rachel Williams replaces Leah Galton.
Attempt missed. Angharad James (Tottenham Hotspur Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left following a corner.
Corner, Tottenham Hotspur Women. Conceded by Millie Turner.
Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur Women. Zhang Linyan replaces Martha Thomas.
Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur Women. Ramona Petzelberger replaces Celin Bizet Ildhusøy.
Foul by Leah Galton (Manchester United Women).
Rosella Ayane (Tottenham Hotspur Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Ella Toone (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Ashleigh Neville (Tottenham Hotspur Women).
Attempt missed. Geyse Ferreira (Manchester United Women) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Jayde Riviere.
Offside, Manchester United Women. Ella Toone is caught offside.
Attempt saved. Celin Bizet Ildhusøy (Tottenham Hotspur Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Kit Graham.