Ella Toone fires Manchester United to WSL summit after dominant Liverpool win | OneFootball

Manchester United have moved top of the Barclays Women’s Super League table after defeating Liverpool 2-0.

Goals from Hinata Miyazawa and Ella Toone secured victory for Marc Skinner’s side, who produced a mature, controlled display from start to finish at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

United came out with real intent right from kick-off and their bright start was rewarded in the fourth minute as Miyazawa hit a stunning strike from range to give the Red Devils the lead.

After that it was one way traffic for the visitors, who extended their advantage in first half added time as Toone’s cool finish from Elisabeth Terland’s pass sent Skinner’s side into half-time fully in control.

Liverpool, meanwhile, struggled to make any real impression in the opening period. Their pressing was inconsistent, and they found it difficult to string together passes in attacking areas. United controlled the final third with relative ease, and Gareth Taylor’s side went into the break knowing they were second best.

The second half was a slight improvement from Liverpool. They showed more aggression, pushed higher up the pitch, and managed to disrupt United’s flow at times, but despite this, they never truly threatened Phallon Tullis-Joyce’s goal. United’s defensive organisation was solid, and they managed the game intelligently controlling tempo, using their substitutes effectively, and never really allowing the hosts a

Away from the result itself, there were lovely tributes to Matt Beard throughout the match, recognising his time and impact at Liverpool. While his old side couldn’t deliver a result to match the occasion, they did keep the scoreline respectable, even if United might feel they should have scored more given the number of promising positions they found themselves in.

United, meanwhile, move to the WSL summit and on this evidence, they look like a side ready to challenge seriously again this season after three crucial points.