Manchester United returned to the top of the Women’s Super League with victory over Spurs despite Ella Toone being sent off following a fiery encounter at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
In a dramatic and frantic second half, United took the lead through Leah Galton and appeared to take control of the game.
However, shortly afterwards Tottenham’s January signing Bethany England scored in a third successive WSL game to make it 1-1, but team-mate Molly Bartrip diverted the ball into her own net less than a minute later.
With United leading 2-1 in a nervy affair, England international Toone reacted shockingly to a tangle of legs on the floor, appearing to hit out at Eveliina Summanen’s face, leading to a straight red card.
Despite the wild turn of events after the hour mark, United held on to claim a crucial victory which restores their place at the top of the table and a one-point lead over Chelsea, who have a game in hand.
Meanwhile, pressure mounts on Tottenham and their manager Rehanne Skinner as their concerning losing streak extends to seven WSL matches.
More to follow.
Line-ups
Tottenham Women
Formation 5-4-1
- 1Korpela
- 14IldhusøySubstituted forAyaneat 69′minutes
- 4TurnerSubstituted forJamesat 82′minutes
- 5Bartrip
- 3Zadorsky
- 6Harrop
- 20Iwabuchi
- 25SummanenBooked at 87mins
- 24SpenceBooked at 62mins
- 29Neville
- 19England
Substitutes
- 9Karczewska
- 13Ale
- 15James
- 18Ubogagu
- 22Spencer
- 23Ayane
Man Utd Women
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 27Earps
- 2Batlle
- 15Le Tissier
- 21Turner
- 6Blundell
- 12LaddSubstituted forBøe Risaat 68′minutes
- 10Zelem
- 22ParrisSubstituted forGarcíaat 68′minutes
- 7TooneBooked at 80mins
- 11GaltonSubstituted forThomasat 90+2′minutes
- 23RussoSubstituted forWilliamsat 83′minutes
Substitutes
- 3Thorisdóttir
- 5Mannion
- 8Bøe Risa
- 9Thomas
- 17García
- 20Tounkara
- 28Williams
- 29Cascarino
- 32Baggaley
Live Text
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Match ends, Tottenham Hotspur Women 1, Manchester United Women 2.
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Second Half ends, Tottenham Hotspur Women 1, Manchester United Women 2.
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Corner, Tottenham Hotspur Women. Conceded by Katie Zelem.
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Attempt missed. Bethany England (Tottenham Hotspur Women) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Mana Iwabuchi.
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Substitution, Manchester United Women. Martha Thomas replaces Leah Galton.
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Attempt saved. Lucía García (Manchester United Women) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Katie Zelem.
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Attempt blocked. Vilde Bøe Risa (Manchester United Women) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Eveliina Summanen (Tottenham Hotspur Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Leah Galton (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Eveliina Summanen (Tottenham Hotspur Women).
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Offside, Manchester United Women. Katie Zelem tries a through ball, but Rachel Williams is caught offside.
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Katie Zelem (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Ashleigh Neville (Tottenham Hotspur Women).
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Substitution, Manchester United Women. Rachel Williams replaces Alessia Russo.
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Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur Women. Angharad James replaces Amy Turner.
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Ella Toone (Manchester United Women) is shown the red card for violent conduct.
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Foul by Ella Toone (Manchester United Women).
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Eveliina Summanen (Tottenham Hotspur Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Hannah Blundell (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Rosella Ayane (Tottenham Hotspur Women).