Movie
4 months ago
112 
Bethany England (right) started for Spurs in her first appearance since playing for England in the World Cup finalManchester 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.
Relive coverage of Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United, plus reaction to Sunday's other Women's Super League gamesUnited maintain fine away form to match Arsenal and City
With Arsenal's statement win over Chelsea earlier on Sunday and Manchester City finding form - including a 7-0 thrashing of Spurs before the international break - United needed victory here to stay in touch with the top three, let alone keep their WSL title dreams alive.
It was the perfect time for Malard, signed in the summer from Lyon to replace Arsenal-bound Alessia Russo, to produce her most fruitful display in English football so far.
She was one of two players to come into the starting XI as changes from the victory at Bristol City before the international break, replacing Geyse.
While Geyse has greater pace and trickery, Malard produced a fine all-round striker's display - a poacher's instinct for the opener, creativity from deep for the second goal and composure for the third.
It has been an inconsistent campaign for Marc Skinner's side, but their away form - 13 points and the joint most in the division alongside Arsenal - has maintained their hopes of a maiden WSL trophy.
More follows.
Line-ups
Tottenham Women
Formation 4-4-2
22Spencer29Neville4Turner5Bartrip3Zadorsky14Bizet IldhusøySubstituted forPetzelbergerat 80'minutes12Percival15James7NazBooked at 49minsSubstituted forAyaneat 56'minutes17ThomasSubstituted forZhangat 80'minutes9EnglandSubstituted forGrahamat 56'minutesSubstitutes
1Votíková11Petzelberger13Ale16Graham18Zhang21Bühler23Ayane26Pearse47BoughtonMan Utd Women
Formation 4-2-3-1
27Earps14Riviere4Le Tissier21TurnerSubstituted forEvansat 87'minutes6Blundell10Zelem12Ladd22ParrisSubstituted forGarcíaat 67'minutes7TooneSubstituted forNaalsundat 87'minutes11GaltonSubstituted forWilliamsat 82'minutes9MalardSubstituted forda Silva Ferreiraat 67'minutesSubstitutes
15Evans16Naalsund17García23da Silva Ferreira28Williams39Middleton-Patel91Tullis-JoyceLive 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.
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