The report from this match will be published soon so stay tuned for that and all the reaction from the game upcoming here!
There are some huge matches to come in the WSL this weekend including a title race clash between Arsenal and Manchester City. For a preview of the match, read Suzy Wrack’s piece below:
Brighton will be frustrated to concede so many goals, they remained in the match even when they went 2-0 down. Their defensive efforts were impressive until the final 15 minutes or so. If Leicester win this weekend Brighton will be in the relegation spot.
Here are the second half goals from United, the Garcia goal is yet to be clipped up. When it is I’ll bring it to you:
Leah Galton again! 🔥
— Sky Sports WSL (@SkySportsWSL) April 1, 2023
Breathing space for Man Utd as they double the lead pic.twitter.com/VcXYndeUos
𝟑 𝐆𝐎𝐀𝐋𝐒 ✅
— Sky Sports WSL (@SkySportsWSL) April 1, 2023
𝟑 𝐏𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐒 ✅
Williams heads Zelem's corner home at the back post pic.twitter.com/vZPuOQMFpS
Full-time: Brighton 0-4 Manchester United
A clinical and dominant performance from United sees them three points clear at the top of the table. Brighton fought hard but eventually the defensive dam burst.
90 + 3 min: United are still coming here, knowing the goal difference could contribute to the title race. They can also smell blood. Brighton held strong for such a long time but United battered down the door. Toone almost got through and it comes to Zelem whose shot is saved.
90 + 1 min: Sarri is off for Visalli as Brighton look to find a consolation. Galton is named Player of the Match and there will be three minutes added.
90 min: I was about to say the scoreline flatters United today after a strong performance from Brighton, which it still does, but that final goal was so sloppy from Brighton. And here United come again, luckily for the hosts Garcia is offside.
88 min: Brighton pass it backwards and Garcia pounces, she runs it around Williams and it is in! Awful play from the hosts.
GOAL! Brighton 0-4 Manchester United (Garcia, 88')
Oh my word!
GOAL! Brighton 0-3 Manchester United (Williams, 86')
United have a corner and Zelem sends it in. Connolly heads away, it is close to being an own goal but it’s out for another corner. Zelem hits it in and Williams heads it home.
Updated
85 min: A good sign as Le Tissier gets back to her feet but she looks in some pain. She is remaining on the pitch, interesting if she is subbed soon.
83 min: Le Tissier is sent flying from a foul, there has been so many fouls in this match I feel I must have written the word 100 times! Zelem loses it in a precarious position and players are left on the floor after a clash. The referee plays on and R Williams gets a shot but L Williams saves. Le Tissier is still down after the clash.
81 min: Turner thought Sarri had fouled her but it has gone the other way. Brighton have a free kick from it and Pattinson crosses it in. It’s initially dealt with but comes out for Zigiotti, her strike is just wide.
79 min: It comes in but Earps does enough to disrupt the ball. The keeper went down and stayed down but she is back to her feet now, to the relief of United fans. United make another change as Russo comes off for Garcia. There’s a nasty clash between Zigiotti and Zelem, they both go down but they are quickly back to their feet.
77 min: What a save from Williams! United come again and Russo is in a great position, she strikes it powerfully and the keeper blocks. Brighton counter and Sarri is in the box, her resulting chance is out for a corner.
75 min: The coverage are running a replay of Galton’s goal and some may argue she was marginally offside in the build-up. It was a close call, maybe another reason for VAR to be introduced. Brighton try to build something but they lose it in a dangerous position! Russo is well shut down in the box but Galton passes it back in. United think they have their third but Toone is offside as she hit it in.
73 min: Galton does well to get in a great position but Fox works it away from the United forward. United were calling for a foul but it isn’t given.
71 min: United have taken the wind out of Brighton’s sails with that second goal, they don’t look at threatening since it went in. The visitors are on the hunt, Williams crosses it in but Russo can’t connect.
69 min: Robinson has a chance on target but Earps collects easily. United get up one again and Russo rattles off a strong hit but it’s blocked.
67 min: Galton makes a great run in the box, Williams comes out well but she works it around her and slots it home from an impossible angle. Wow, wow, wow!
Updated
GOAL! Brighton 0-2 Manchester United (Galton, 66')
Speechless, what a goal!
65 min: Brighton make a change before the free kick with Bance off for Terland. Zelem hits the free kick but it is headed away. It comes back to Batlle but keeper Williams collects.
63 min: The crowd aren’t happy as United were initially given the throw in but the referee changed her mind and went with the visitors. They manage to get it into the box but United clear. This is a consistent defensive performance from United. The visitors give away a free kick to kill an attack but a foul on Batlle sees United win it in a great position.
61 min: United make their first change as R Williams comes on for Boe Risa. Brighton do well to win it back and they are being patient on the ball, they deserve a goal for their efforts but it’s a question of if they can convert.
59 min: Zelem fouls and Brighton have a free kick in a good position. Pattinson belts it in but Le Tissier heads away.
57 min: Zelem crosses it in, Turner gets a head to it but it’s not on target. Brighton clear it and they counter but Robinson’s resulting pass has too much on it. Brighton come again, they will need to score next! If United manage to get another that could be the game.
55 min: United again look to play possession based football. Brighton win it back but Robinson’s can’t get on the end of it and United have it back. Russo gets it on the edge of the box but Connolly does well to smother the chance. United have a corner from it though.
53 min: Brighton’s Pattinson crosses in but is goes just over Lee. She gets it back in the box and Earps is forced to save. The hosts are looking more dangerous in these early stages of the second half. Pattinson has a yellow card for a foul, she was not happy when it was handed out.
51 min: United have retained the ball well, trying to take the sting out of the Brighton momentum here. They eventually work it up slowly but Ladd is offside.
49 min: Pattinson crosses it in but Earps intercepted it. Brighton have it again, it is a bright start to the second 45 but they need to be more clinical. United win it back but they are offside.
47 min: It has been an even exchange but Brighton have a corner after a good defensive effort from Blundell, she has been a thorn in Robinson’s side this afternoon.
Back underway! Brighton 0-1 Manchester United
Brighton have 45 minutes to overturn this result, can they do it? We’ll soon find out.
Manchester United are three points clear at the top of the table as things stand, can they see this out? Second half incoming!
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Here’s the goal from Galton:
GOAL! Brighton 0-1 Man Utd
— Sky Sports WSL (@SkySportsWSL) April 1, 2023
A smart finish from the forward, who nods Zelem's corner home from close-range ⚽ pic.twitter.com/2OXQAnitaW
Half-time: Brighton 0-1 Manchester United
It has been a solid start from the WSL leaders with a strong Galton header putting them ahead. Brighton have had some chances but they are yet to convert them. Everything still to play for.
45 + 1 min: Brighton come again and Sarri tries to cross it in but Batlle challenges her well and it goes out for a goal kick. Brightin get it back quickly, Lee passes into the box but Pattinson’s chance is wide. There will be one minute added.
44 min: Le Tissier attempts a long range pass but it has too much on it for Toone to collect. Brighton look to strike but again they are offside in their build-up, supporters are starting to show their frustration.
42 min: Zelem punts it in and Turner gets to it but she can’t control and it is out for a goal kick. Galton then does well to prevent a Brighton counter, the hosts aren’t out of this clash yet!
Updated
41 min: Bance does well to win it back from a foul by Zelem. The United captain seems frustrated by the decision but Brighton get to relieve pressure. Zigiotti pulls Ladd and she gives away a free kick, Zigiotti gets a yellow card. Zelem will take this free kick, a scorable position.
39 min: Zelem blasts it in, Boe Risa gets a touch but Williams collects! The crowd seemed to hold their breath there, so close to a second! United get in a great position once more, Russo crosses in but Boe Risa can’t control it.
37 min: Brighton do well to clear pressure but then a sloppy pass gives it straight back to United. It’s those frustrating moments preventing Brighton from throwing a punch. Ladd wins a free kick after a foul from Bance, it is in a good position and Brighton will again need good defensive work.
35 min: Ladd attempts a pass to Galton but it has too much on it. Brighton’s Morse does well to clear a chance from the box, the Seagulls are doing well to thwart chances since conceding the opener.
33 min: Lee is furious as she feels she should have the throw in but it has gone United’s way! Russo clips Zigiotti and the Brighton player remains down but she is quickly back to her feet.
31 min: It is a great cross in from the corner but the resulting header is just over. It was a well worked corner, Robinson ran out to confuse the defence but they just couldn’t convert it. Brighton are coming forward and Sarri crosses it but it skims across Robinson’s feet! So close!
29 min: Zelem takes the kick but Williams comes out and punches it away. United still have it and pass it into the box again but the Brighton keeper collects. Here come Brighton now, Robinson collects a long range pass but Blundell is smothering the ball. Galton then wins it back, great defensive work from United. Ladd concedes a corner but it prevented a cross into the box, a good chance here for Brighton now.
27 min: United are taking the sting out of the game, taking time on the ball. Pattinson fouls Batlle and she has a talking to from the referee. They take the free kick quickly and Sarri fouls Boe Risa, surely the yellow cards will start flowing soon! United have a free kick in a good position here, they could double their lead.
25 min: Bance wins a free kick on a great position! Could this be when they score? Not yet with Boe Risa clearing. Batlle play is out from the back and possession exchanges hands.
23 min: Here come Brighton! Robinson is looking to cross but she is again offside, that is the third time she has been offside so far! United are countering through Russo but Brighton do enough to shut it down.
21 min: Toone tries to unlock the United attack but her pass goes to no one. Brighton have an attacking chance but a pass has too much on it and then Fox gives away a free kick for a foul on Galton. It’s the little moments in this that is keeping the momentum with United so far.
19 min: A ball comes in for Blundell but it had too much on it for her to gather. A great save from Williams to keep Brighton in this! Toone crosses in and Galton gets a touch but the keeper collects.
17 min: Brighton are still a threat here but they just need more clinicism on the ball to create a chance. United playing it from their own half now.
15 min: Galton was in a perfect position for that goal, just out of sight for keeper Williams to sneak that home. Brighton will need to stem the bleeding, they need to be the next to score here. United are with possession again, Brighton can’t fade defensively. Lee intercepts the ball but passes to Robinson who is offside, a great sign form the hosts though
GOAL! Brighton 0-1 Manchester United (Galton, 13')
Zelem blasts it into the box and Galton heads home!
Updated
12 min: Ladd pops a good ball into the box but no United player there to capitalise on the chance. Fox does well to close down Blundell to force a goal kick, she could have conceded a corner there but she made sure Blundell took the last touch. United get it into the box once more, Russo goes down in the box but no penalty given, they have won a corner now though.
10 min: A poor pass from Lee sees United win it just outside the box. Brighton do well to smother any space and United are forced to play it back to halfway. Batlle tries to cross it into the box but Bance blocks. United are still with the ball though and maintaining their pressure.
8 min: Batlle collects a long range pass and crosses into the box but Williams catches easily. Brighton quickly counter and Sarri gets on the edge of the box, she takes a punt at goal but Earps easily gathers.
6 min: Russo is fed the ball in a great position and she gets it into the box but it’s cleared well. Robinson then wins a free kick from Turner, a huge cheer coming from the crowd! It results in Robinson getting inside the box, Earps collects the cross but Robinson was offside.
4 min: Boe Risa and Toone attempted a one-two but it deflected off a Brighton player and they have a throw in. A loose pass saw Brighton win it back but they quickly pass it into touch. A little sloppy from both teams.
2 min: No punches have been thrown yet with Russo offside as United launched an attack. A slow start/
Kick-off! Brighton 0-0 Manchester United
Here we go then! A huge match for the implications at the top and bottom of the league, three massive points up for grabs.
Players were wearing ‘Football welcomes Refugees’ t-shirts while warming up:
🧤 #BHAFC pic.twitter.com/ZwB4OM0prf
— Brighton & Hove Albion Women (@BHAFCWomen) April 1, 2023
The players will be out shortly, United will be the firm favourites but Brighton will be hunting an upset! How do you see this one shaking out?
Our weekly women’s football newsletter, Moving the Goalposts, is a great read, especially before this match this morning. Anita Asante has written about what it is like to battle in the relegation fight. Have a read of it here:
Tom has got in touch via email and said: “Utd just announced they are putting season ticket prices up by 50% so £60 for an adult for next year. Thoughts on this? Part of me bristles at the percentage increase whilst another part thinks it’s still pretty good value.” I think it’s extremely good value and it shows that women’s football is becoming more popular. United are also top of the table and so £60 to watch the potential defending champions for an entire season sounds like a bargain to me!
This week has been a huge week for English football with both Arsenal and Chelsea securing their spots in the Women’s Champions League semi-final. The Gunners pulled off a comeback against Bayern Munich to go through, while Chelsea secured a dramatic win over defending champions Lyon. Have a read of the reports here:
The WSL has broken another record this season, take a look:
A record breaking HALF A MILLION fans have attended #BarclaysWSL matches so far this season 🤩
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) March 31, 2023
And we’ve still got six gameweeks left to go 🤯
Thank you to our incredible fanbase for being a part of history 💜 pic.twitter.com/CgNH4NmidC
Merricks also spoke on Manchester United as an opposition: “We have to focus on this game first, the league is really important to us. They’re a good side. Everyone in our squad is prepared to fight. We want to make it difficult and want to make people dread coming to our ground.”
Brighton boss Amy Merricks has been frank about her club’s disappointing draw to Reading last week, saying: “We should have won last weekend. We’re really frustrated but we’ll utilise that to fuel our performance this weekend. We feel like we dropped two points, so we need to pick those up elsewhere and we’re fully focussed on that.”
United manager Marc Skinner has spoken about the club’s ambitions to win the WSL this season. He told Sky: “We want to make it inevitable rather than it be a ‘nice to have’. When we meet our aspirations and we’re playing Champions League then I believe this club opens up the world to a lot of world-class players.”
Happy April Fools Day! This morning I left the room with my laptop warming up and when I came back my friend told me it made a horrible noise and shut down. I was completely convinced until she shouted April Fools at me! Have you fallen for anything or made someone believe something this morning? Let me know via email or Twitter!
Here is the team news for this morning’s match! Brighton have made one change to their starting XI with Libby Bance coming in for Guro Bergsvand.
Brighton: Williams, Pattinson, Kullberg, Morse, Fox, Zigiotti. Connolly, Robinson, Bance, Sarri, Lee.
TEAM NEWS! 🚨 Here's our starting XI to face @ManUtdWomen this afternoon in the @BarclaysWSL.
— Brighton & Hove Albion Women (@BHAFCWomen) April 1, 2023
📲 https://t.co/1JRqX8gtVj // #BHAFC 💙 pic.twitter.com/BCNFvnd6hY
Manchester United have also made one change to their starting line-up. Vilde Boe Risa comes into the side with Nikita Parris dropping to the bench.
United: Earps, Batlle, Blundell, Toone, Boe Risa, Zelem, Galton, Ladd, Le Tissier, Turner, Russo
Presenting your United XI to take on Brighton 💪#MUWomen || #WSL
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) April 1, 2023
Hello and welcome to this Women’s Super League match between Brighton and Manchester United. United will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the table, while Brighton will be seeking an upset to give them some breathing space from relegation.
It will be a big feat for Brighton to pull off the victory. United have only lost two games this season, whereas Brighton have only won two matches. The Seagulls had a great chance to earn valuable points last time out in the league against Reading, speeding to an early 2-0 lead. But Kelly Chambers’ side came back into it and the match finished 2-2.
It was a different story for United’s last match as they dominated West Ham 4-0. Marc Skinner’s side will want to gather all the points possible as while they are top of the table, Chelsea and Arsenal have a game in hand. The Blues would go ahead of United as things currently stand if they won their game in hand, so everything is to play for!
The team news is out so stay tuned for updates ahead of kick-off at 11.30am BST.
