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Manchester United Women cruised to a much-needed 2-0 win over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Heading into the match, United were on a run of three consecutive draws and pressure was piling on Marc Skinner and his players to clinch a victory.
Skinner fielded a starting XI consisting of Phallon Tullis-Joyce in goal with a defensive four of Jayde Riviere, Maya Le Tissier, Millie Turner and Gabrielle George ahead of her.
The midfield consisted of Celin Bizet, Dominique Janssen, Simi Awujo and Geyse Ferreira. Grace Clinton was deployed just behind striker Elisabeth Terland.
The substitute bench consisted of Safia Middleton-Patel, Lucy Newell, Anna Sandberg, Jess Simpson, Hayley Ladd, Hinata Miyazawa, Emma Watson, Melvine Malard and Rachel Williams.
United were the better side in the opening minutes although they didn’t fashion any clear-cut opportunities. They kept the ball well and flooded red shirts inside the Leicester box.
The hosts found it very difficult to get outside their own half as United applied the pressure in search of an opener. Clinton nearly broke the deadlock when a cross found her unmarked on the edge of the six-year box. She had a pop but was unable to hit the target.
Leicester attempted to hit back moments later, via a counter. Hannah Cain made her way into the danger area, cut on to her right and attempted to find the top corner but sent her shot wide from six yards.
The defences of both sides were good, keeping the opposite side’s attackers from really threatening.
However, as the match went on, United got closer. Clinton tried to combine with Geyse but her pass was too heavy and Geyse could not bring it under her spell.
Summer signing Awujo nearly found Clinton and Awujo inside the box, for what would have been a certain tap-in but Leicester’s Catherine Bott intercepted the cross to snuff out the danger.
The tricky Cain load off the ball to teammate Nicole Momiki who somehow managed to create some space for herself in the box. United’s defenders swung into action in an effort to thwart Momiki but the ball ended up in the path of a free Cain. Luckily for the Reds, Cain failed to test Tullis-Joyce.
Two minutes of added time were added on at the end of the first half and United finally got their big break as Terland produced a looping header back across the goalkeeper to put her side in the driving seat. The goal was Terland’s fourth in the last three games against the Foxes.
Soon after the break, United were awarded an early free-kick which Clinton just curled over the bar.
Bizet attempted a bold overhead kick but it didn’t come off as she dragged her shot wide. Geyse looked dangerous in the second period, looking to take the defender on whenever the opportunity presented itself. Clinton had another effort, this time a header which went wide after a free-kick from the right.
At around the 64th-minute mark, Skinner looked to his bench and brought on Sandberg to replace George.
Bizet was presented with a golden chance to double United’s advantage when she was sent through on goal but Leicester goalkeeper Janina Leitzig rushed out to deny her. The rebound fell to Clinton but the scrambling defenders managed to clear their lines.
However, Bizet made amends almost immediately, capitalising on a mistake from Bott to expertly slot the ball home for United’s second of the match. The goal was Bizet’s first of the season.
Leicester tried to respond with a speculative shot from distance but Tullis-Joyce easily gathered it.
To get the victory over the line, Skinner made further personnel changes. Miyazawa, Ladd and Malard came on for Clinton, Awujo and Ferreira respectively.
Four minutes were added on but it was no trouble for United, who made sure Leicester didn’t spring up any late surprises.
United are back in action on Wednesday when they face Everton in the Women’s League Cup.
Featured image Cameron Smith via Getty Images