Marc Skinner insists his team are taking things one game at a time as he played down Manchester United’s title challenge following a comfortable 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Goals from Vilde Bøe Risa, Hayley Ladd and Leah Galton ensured a comfortable afternoon for the hosts at Leigh Sports Village as they recorded a sixth straight win in all competitions.
The victory keeps United on the tails of Barclays FA Women’s Super League leaders Arsenal and moved them ahead of defending champions Chelsea, who drew 0-0 with Brighton.
But Skinner refused to get caught up in talk of a title bid from the Red Devils, instead focusing on the brilliance of goalscorer Bøe Risa and his side’s overall display.
“I felt we were the team trying to win the game – the players were magnificent," he said. "Tottenham have wonderful traits, such as their press – we moved the ball well and made them work.”
On Bøe Risa’s impact, he added: “It was about finding her space in the team (when she came in).
“The beauty of the players we have is they rotate, and they are flexible.
“We are playing Bridgewater in the FA Cup next so we can’t look past them. As for a title challenge, we need to take it each game, stay grounded, box each game in isolation and move on.”
Both sides came into the game with identical records, although third-placed United sat just above their opponents in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League table on goal difference.
The hosts had never lost a league game to the London club – winning six and drawing one – and they started quickly, with plenty of attacking intent and the first shot on target from Galton.
United hit the front when Bøe Risa turned in a Katie Zelem corner on 38 minutes, before Ladd headed in an Ella Toone cross four minutes later to leave Spurs with a mountain to climb.
On 62 minutes, the hosts confirmed the three points when Galton pounced on a mistake from Ashleigh Neville in the area to tap home and extend their winning streak to six.
It was not all good news for United, though, as Skinner confirmed that Millie Turner will be out of action for an “indefinite period” due to an issue with the artery in her neck.
Turner was left out of the squad for the game against Spurs and in a statement released before kick-off, United said medical examinations revealed the problem in her neck.
The statement said: “Manchester United can confirm that Millie Turner will be unavailable for today's game and for an indefinite period, after recent medical investigations revealed an issue with the artery in her neck.
“Millie will continue to work closely with the club's medical team and specialists, which will involve modified training and reassessments in the coming weeks and months. Everyone at the club wishes Millie a speedy recovery.”
When asked about Turner’s absence after the game, Skinner added: “She has an issue with a neck artery, credit to the medical team for finding it. She was in the huddle at the end.
“She is still a huge part of what we are doing here.”
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