The Norwegian striker, Elisabeth Terland, was once again decisive for Manchester United this weekend as she netted a brace against Tottenham Hotspur, helping her club defeat The Spurs 3-0 at the Leigh Sports Village on Sunday.
What happened?
The Red Devils went into the game with a 100-percent winning start and they continued their good run with a routine victory over Spurs.
Midfielder Grace Clinton once again proved to be a key player for Manchester United, scoring twice.
Early on in the match, she nearly opened the scoring against her former club. She struck a powerful shot at goal, but the ball was well-caught by visiting keeper Becky Spencer.
The visitors were also pushing to create chances and Beth England got her head on a ball into the box, but her effort went wide of goal.
Leah Galton then came close to breaking the deadlock for Manchester United off the back of a stunning pass from Clinton. She aimed for the lower-right corner of the net, but Spencer scooped the ball up, keeping the scores level.
Just before half-time, the hosts got their reward as Terland fired the ball into the net with a powerful strike.
Moments later, Manchester United scored their second goal.
Terland was there once again, towering over Spurs defender Ashleigh Neville and heading the ball beyond Spencer.
The home side got off to a strong start in the second half and they almost made it three, as Terland once again had a sight of goal. She sent another powerful strike goalwards, but Spencer got a fingertip to the ball and it bounced off the base of the post.
Just before the hour-mark, Manchester United were awarded a penalty when Neville committed a handball in the box.
Newly-appointed club captain, Maya Le Tissier, stepped up to the spot and she coolly slotted the ball into the back of the net, sending Spencer the wrong way.
There were no further goals in the final half-hour as Manchester United claimed another win, a clean sheet, and three points.
Managers' reactions
Tottenham Hotspur head coach Robert Vilahamn said that his side’s performance against Manchester United was not as bad as the scoreline suggested.
“We started the game good,” Vilahamn said.
“First 30 minutes, we were pressing very well, we created chances. The performance is not 3-0 bad. Performance-wise, we actually played some really good stuff, we showed that we can play some really good football. Results-wise, it is bad. They scored three goals, we scored nill.”
Manchester United Boss Marc Skinner was full of praise for his team, especially Elisabeth Turland:
“I just think she is an incredible talent. The beauty of her is that she slows the moment and sees the opportunity under immense pressure. She is always focused, she does not dip off her focus, whether it is pressing or whatever the task is, she is all in. She slows the moment and seizes the opportunity under the most immense pressure, that is her beauty.”
Terland was not the only player that Skinner spoke highly of. Celin Bizet Ildhusøy, who joined Manchester United from Spurs in the summer, impressed on the right flank.
“I spoke to Celin when she was first coming to Manchester United,” Skinner said.
“We spoke about her versatility down the [right] side without diminishing her qualities. She wants to run all day, she has this fantastic delivery quality which is also one of her best traits, she is defending and she loves to defend."
"I prefer the result to the performance," added Skinner.
“I felt that Tottenham were good in the first half, they were sharper than us, especially in the first 25 minutes. I looked down at the clock and there were 30 minutes gone, I did not think would imposed ourselves on the game at all. Credit to Tottenham, but we were ruthless today.”
Both teams are back in Barclays Women’s Super League action next weekend.
Manchester United travel to Brighton & Hove Albion while Tottenham Hotspur will face Sonia Bompastor's Chelsea.
