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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Jack Lacey-Hatton

Man Utd maintain title charge at Spurs despite Ella Toone dismissal - 5 talking points

Man United moved back to the top of the WSL after a dramatic 2-1 win over a resilient Tottenham despite finishing with ten players following Ella Toone's red card.

United were looking to take advantage of leaders Chelsea having a week off but only did so thanks to an unfortunate own goal from Molly Bartrip. The Spurs defender smashed the ball into her own net, only seconds after Beth England had equalised for the hosts, Leah Galton having put United in front in the 66th minute.

But a dramatic end to an absorbing clash also included Toone seeing red after appearing to react aggressively following a heated clash with Eveliina Summanen. England nearly headed home a second equaliser in the dying seconds but United held on to move a point clear of Chelsea in top spot.

Here are five talking points from a thriller at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Galton and own goal fortune needed to save United as attack intially falters

After their 0-0 stalemate against Everton last week, manager Marc Skinner would have been looking for a response from the Red Devils forward line. And once again it looked like they might be undermined by poor finishing.

But Leah Galton was in the right place at the right time in the 66th minute to swivel and score after good work down the right by Ona Batlle. Until then United didn't look at their fluent best, with Spurs' five-player defence looking assured.

But once Galton struck, the away support exploded and although Spurs levelled things up, United looked more relaxed in front of goal. However, they still needed a Spurs player to get the winner for them, Bartrip unfortunate to send a teasing cross into her own goal to decide the contest.

Had Galton delayed her run by a micro-second in the 23rd minute she would have opened the scoring earlier on, her header leaving Tinja-Riikka Korpela stranded in the Spurs' goal. This may have led to a more comfortable afternoon for the Red Devils, but in the end players, supporters and the manager won't care.

England sends message to Wiegman with superb solo strike

Overall, Bethany England has enjoyed a strong start to her Spurs career with three goals in four games coming in today. And the fourth top scorer in WSL history looked to be having a tricky afternoon, before her sensational 74th minute equaliser.

Beth England battles with Maya Le Tissier (Getty Images)

England, who missed out on England selection earlier this week showed Sarina Wiegman what she is missing by charging down the left wing, cutting inside Maya Le Tissier and curling a stunning effort beyond Mary Earps to send the Spurs crowd wild.

Although Tottenham weren't level for long it was a great moment for England, who will have proved her point by beating two players who were selected for international duty in the process. Generally, Spurs' creative players still appear to be getting used to England's movements.

But her work-rate is never in question and her solo wondergoal shows she will have a big impact on Spurs' hopes of climbing the WSL before the end of May.

Red Devils take time to find their feet

Surprisingly, it took United 48 minutes to truly make their mark on the contest. A passive first-half will have disappointed Skinner, but once Leah Galton went close from a tight angle they started to find their groove.

Attacking a noisy away section the chances suddenly came thick and fast for Skinner's side. Katie Zelem sent a free-kick only millimetres wide, before Alessia Russo fired just wide after getting through a see of white shirts in the box.

Seconds later Ella Toone was sent through after a rapid break down the right-wing, but could only hit the post. The chances were there for the visitors but if they are serious about winning the title they will have to start games with greater intensity, rather than waiting to respond after half-time.

England star Ella Toone was sent off during a thrilling end to Man Utd's win at Spurs in the WSL (Getty Images)

Toone's frustrating afternoon ends with early dismissal

It wasn't the best day office for England star Toone. Not only did she miss that glorious chance when sent through on goal, she received a red card that gave Tottenham a route back into the match.

The United No.7 had struggled for time on the ball all afternoon and saw her frustration get the better of her with just over ten minutes to play. Toone wasn't happy with Eveliina Summanen's challenge and lost her rag, putting her hands into the face of the Spurs player right in front of the dugouts.

It wasn't the midfielder's finest hour and the international break may come at a good time, allowing her to reset and refresh away from the WSL spotlight.

Huge crowd shows Tottenham's potential

A huge crowd were inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as Spurs played at the regular home of the men's team for the first time this season. Fans were loud and boisterous from the start, with plenty of United fans also making themselves heard in the far west corner, as they had done across North London at the Emirates back in November.

The magnificent surroundings of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was a fitting venue for a clash between two huge clubs. Spurs maybe having a below-par season so far, but today's crowd was a reminder of the demand for women's football in this part of the capital and the potential of the club.

A great atmosphere from both sets of supporters seemed to give the players that extra burst of energy and made for a superb spectacle, particularly in the second half. This was yet another sign of the growth of the women's domestic game this season and won't the the last big WSL crowd we see at Premier League stadia before the end of May.

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