Substitute Rachel Williams scored a superb solo goal to beat Reading and send Manchester United top of the Women’s Super League.
After spurning a number of chances, United took until the 87th minute to score as Williams broke down the left and then jinked inside before firing into the top corner.
United had the opportunity to go in front towards the end of a relentless first half but captain Katie Zelem’s 40th-minute penalty was saved by Reading goalkeeper Jacqueline Burns after Alessia Russo was brought down by Diane Caldwell.
Burns made a string of impressive saves, twice denying Lucia Garcia in one-on-one situations, while United winger Nikita Parris hit the crossbar late in the first period.
But despite having to withstand sustained pressure from the visitors, Reading did have chances of their own and looked set to secure a valuable point.
However, United’s pressure finally told late on – and after Chelsea’s match against Liverpool earlier in the day was postponed because of a frozen pitch, the win puts Marc Skinner’s top of the league team on goal difference.
More to follow.
Line-ups
Reading Women
Formation 4-1-3-2
- 25burns
- 3Mukandi
- 17Caldwell
- 5evans
- 28Woodham
- 27Vanhaevermaet
- 9Eikeland
- 51TroelsgaardSubstituted forPrimersat 65′minutes
- 23RoweSubstituted forWadeat 87′minutes
- 7WellingsSubstituted forBrysonat 90+1′minutes
- 12HarriesSubstituted forDowieat 90′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Moloney
- 2Bryson
- 10Dowie
- 11Wade
- 18Jane
- 30Poulter
- 37Primers
Man Utd Women
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 27Earps
- 2Batlle
- 15Le Tissier
- 21Turner
- 6Blundell
- 10Zelem
- 12Ladd
- 17GarciaSubstituted forWilliamsat 84′minutes
- 7Toone
- 22ParrisSubstituted forThomasat 65′minutes
- 23Russian
Substitutes
- 3Thorisdottir
- 5Mannion
- 8Boe Risa
- 9Thomas
- 19Leon
- 20Tounkara
- 28Williams
- 32Baggaley
- Referees:
- Richie Watkins
- Attendance:
- 5.108
Live Text
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Match ends, Reading Women 0, Manchester United Women 1.
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Second Half ends, Reading Women 0, Manchester United Women 1.
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Offside, Reading Women. Faye Bryson tries a through ball, but Natasha Dowie is caught offside.
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Attempt saved. Ella Toone (Manchester United Women) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Alessia Russo with a headed pass.
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Alessia Russo (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Diane Caldwell (Reading Women).
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Offside, Manchester United Women. Martha Thomas tries a through ball, but Ella Toone is caught offside.
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Hannah Blundell (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Faye Bryson (Reading Women).
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Substitution, Reading Women. Faye Bryson replaces Charlie Wellings.
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Substitution, Reading Women. Natasha Dowie replaces Emma Harries.
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Foul by Ella Toone (Manchester United Women).
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Emma Mukandi (Reading Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Katie Zelem (Manchester United Women).
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Amalie Eikeland (Reading Women) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Goal! Reading Women 0, Manchester United Women 1. Rachel Williams (Manchester United Women) right footed shot from the center of the box to the top right corner.
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Substitution, Reading Women. Lauren Wade replaces Rachel Rowe.
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Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Rachel Rowe (Reading Women).
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Substitution, Manchester United Women. Rachel Williams replaces Lucía Garcia.