Thank you for joining me for this thrilling match. Melvine Malard opened the scoring but goals from Bethany England and Jessica Naz saw Tottenham in the lead until the 92nd minute when Maya le Tissier scored an equaliser. United are back into fourth. A WSL round-up will land after Arsenal v Leicester and Manchester City v West Ham concludes so keep an eye out for that. Have a good rest of the weekend.
Manchester United’s draw today means Arsenal will be guaranteed Women’s Champions League football if they beat Leicester. The Gunners are currently 1-0 up thanks to a Beth Mead goal.
Bunny Shaw have just doubled City’s lead, this could also prove pivotal in the title race as it could be decided on goal difference.
Manchester City kicked off against West Ham three minutes ago and they already lead. Leila Ouahabi scored in the opening minute, it could be a long afternoon for the Hammers.
Despite not getting their first win against United, Tottenham did come away with a slice of history. This is the first time Tottenham have win a point away from home against United – a good thing for them to take into the Women’s FA Cup final.
Arsenal v Leicester in the WSL has just started and you can catch all the live action here:
The late equaliser has seen Manchester United leapfrog Liverpool into fourth place. Tottenham remain in sixth and they are six points behind fifth-place Liverpool.
United just love a late goal don’t they? Usually it is Rachel Williams who comes good but Maya le Tissier has the plaudits today, Tottenham will be ruing their chance to beat United for the first time.
Full time! Manchester United 2-2 Tottenham
What a thrilling match. Malard put United ahead but two quick fire goals from England and Naz put Tottenham ahead at half-time. United battled until the end and Le Tissier scored a late equaliser. Bring on the Women’s FA Cup final.
90 + 4 min: United are pushing for a winner here, if any club can do it it’ll be United. Turner’s shot out for a goal kick.
GOAL! Manchester United 2-2 Tottenham (LeTissier, 90 + 2)
Wow. Geyse wins yet another United corner, the hosts have done everything but score. Earps is up for this one. Spencer initially saves well but Le Tissier scores the rebound.
90 + 2 min: Neville defends well but she concedes a corner in the process. Captain Zelem is over this one. It’s a great delivery and Spencer gets a loose hand to it, it is not controlled but the Spurs defence gets it away.
90 + 1 min: There will be four additional minutes, not quite the seven we were expecting. Time running out for United.
89 min: No they can’t. Zelen whips it in but Spurs do well to clear.
88 min: Le Tissier takes the free kick and Williams gets a head to it but Spencer is able to save. Boos rain down on the keeper as she takes her time to take her goal kick, she hasn’t been given a yellow for wasting time. United again win a free kick, can they make anything of it?
87 min: Spurs have a spell on the ball now, it feels like an age since that happened. Ayane wanted a free kick there after a foul from Le Tissier but it isn’t given and United can clear the danger once more. Geyse comes away with it and Graham gets a yellow card for the foul, United have yet another free kick.
Updated
85 min: United are clicking in every part of the pitch apart from the final third at the moment, Spurs are holding on but can they keep going? FA Player saying there will be around 7 minutes added on the end of this so they have over 10 minutes to play.
83 min: Evans takes the set piece and Williams heads it on but Spencer easily collects. It is not long until the hosts are on the prowl again, Miyazawa finds herself on the edge of the box and the fans shout shoot at her but her shot is blocked. Fast paced attack from United, they are desperate for the equaliser.
81 min: Turner does incredibly well to dispossess Petzelberger and it launches United’s latest attack. It is threaded through the team and Zelem takes a powerful shot but Graham blocks it out for a corner.
80 min: Neville is continuing here, though she doesn’t look 100% as she is limping herself. Tottenham win a free kick and Spencer takes it, it comes to Naz but Turner blocks her pass to England.
78 min: In the break United make a change with Toone off for Miyazawa coming on. Galton is also coming off here, Geyse is on. It is unclear if Galton would have come on regardless but what is clear is they don’t want to risk Galton, who limps as she makes her way to the bench.
76 min: United are only getting stronger here, Garcia has been an incredible addition – so much energy and she reads play so skilfully. United come through here, Galton is in the area and Neville tackles her but they then both hit the deck. No foul as they both went for the ball but it looks like they have kicked each other. A break in play as they get attention.
74 min: Zelem plays a long ball to Garcia, she lays it off to try and fins Galton but it rolls towards Spencer.
72 min: Oh my word, James-Turner will owe Spencer a drink after that one. The defender plays a poor ball back to the keeper and Williams is about to pounce but Spencer manages to clear.
72 min: Garcia crosses in but Spurs see it out for a corner. Zelem takes it but Williams heads it wide. Spurs makes another change with Vinberg and Summanen off for
Ayane and Ahtinen.
70 min: United have definitely been the stronger side in this second half but they are yet to have anything to show for it. 20 minutes to go but Tottenham are on their way to their first win against United.
68 min: Zelem stands over this set piece and she plays it to the edge of the box, it is initially a poor touch by Williams but she recovers. Tottenham do muscle her off the ball though and it is another wasted set piece from the hosts.
66 min: The resulting free kick is taken by Evans but it is repelled by Nilden, really well read. United keep creating the chances and it is just the final touch that needs to come together. Naz the latest to give away a free kick, her third given away this match.
64 min: United pepper Spurs’ goal with chances and it ends with Naalsund’s effort volleyed over the bar. There’s a long period in midfield and it ends with Nilden being booked for a foul on Garcia.
62 min: The free kick is taken by Zelem this time but it is headed clear, quite a wasted opportunity there.
61 min: Garcia’s shirt is pulled as she looks to run into space by Vinberg and she gets a yellow card. Before the resulting free kick is taken Spurs make a change with Spence off for Petzelberger.
60 min: Spencer was almost in a spot of bother there, she is played the ball back and suddenly she is surrounded by United players but the keeper does get it away.
58 min: What a save from Spencer, Evans crosses the corner in and it is initially blocked but Turner gets a shot. Spencer tipped it onto the bar.
57 min: Again I thought Malard was playing really well but that is why I am typing about this match and not sat in the manager chair! Williams is the queen of a late goal as the club’s super sub so she could find another today. Garcia wins a corner so the equaliser could be coming.
Updated
56 min: Tottenham happy to play out of the back here and they pass back and forth but then a rogue pass comes to England and it is put of play for a throw in. Before it is taken Williams and Garcia come on for Parris and Malard off for United.
54 min: Evans takes the corner, interesting as Zelem usually takes all of United’s set pieces, Turner gets a header but Vinberg manages to clear.
52 min: Blundell has a lofted shot from long range. it is on target but it is easy enough for Spencer to save. United again come forward and a cross comes in for Malard but James-Turner sees it out for a corner.
51 min: United have started this half really well and they have another chance to equalise here, Zelem crosses in but Spencer reads to collect.
49 min: Blundell has a great cross and Parris tries to poke home but Spencer does enough to keep her out.
47 min: I thought Mannion was having a good game so it is an interesting call to take her off. United on the hunt for an equaliser here.
Back underway! Manchester United 1-2 Tottenham
We’re underway in the second 45. United have made a change with Blundell on for Mannion.
Tottenham have never beaten Manchester United before in the past 11 meeting between them. Is today that day? Second half imminent.
Here is Naz’ goal which saw Tottenham take the lead:
Excellent footwork and finish from Jess Naz 🔥#BarclaysWSL @SpursWomen pic.twitter.com/o6XXvZ8gGn
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) April 21, 2024
I’m glad I am not the only one who credited Spence for the goal! The WSL haven’t clipped it up so I can’t show you it yet to get your opinion. Some United fans think England was offside so it could be a controversial one, remember no VAR involved in this game.
SPENCE WITH THE EQUALISER 🔥 pic.twitter.com/U3lWr1B2Je
— Tottenham Hotspur Women (@SpursWomen) April 21, 2024
I thought Drew Spence had been credited for the equaliser but Bethany England must have got a touch to it on its way through as she has been awarded the goal.
Half-time: Manchester United 1-2 Tottenham
Malard opened the scoring and had more chances to double United’s lead but couldn’t execute them and Spurs made United pay for it. Spence equalised off the back of a corner and Naz put them ahead with a well worked goal. A really entertaining half.
45 + 3 min: The pace of this game has slowed right down, United play it all the way back to Earps. her distribution is sublime and Mannion adds a great pass. Parris thinks she has won the ball from it but Tottenham instead have a free kick to clear.
45 + 1 min: There will be four additional minutes. United were patient in their build-up after the free kick and Zelem crosses in but it’s cleared.
45 min: Malard looks to break as she intercepts the ball but she is fouled by Graham, she was down for a while but she gets back to her feet. She is limping quite heavily as she looks to walk it off. The free kick is taken short as it is in their own half so they will have to build from deep.
44 min: Spurs continue to push for a third goal here, United are having to do quite a lot of defending at the moment.
42 min: Spurs look to attack again and Graham passes to Naz but she is judged offside. United are the next to attack and Tuner controls really well to chest down and pass to Naalsund, the shot doesn’t come off and then Vinberg is fouled so Spurs can clear.
40 min: Toone wanted a free kick after Vinberg tackles her but is isn’t given and Spurs peel away. Spence has a heavy touch and Parris wins it for the hosts to clear.
38 min: This is probably the most unexciting passage of play in the game so far but I think we have just been treated to a really good league battle – United being really patient in their build-up.
36 min: Tottenham come forward again with Vinberg popping it into the area but Mannion clears.
34 min: Thomas is coming off with injury, hopefully she is okay, and Graham is on.
33 min: If you blinked you could have missed Tottenham going ahead it happened that quickly. It was good control from Naz who took a touch and then blasted it past Earps. Thomas is down with injury right now and so there is a break in play.
GOAL! Manchester Unitied 1-2 Tottenham (Naz, 31')
What is happening?!
Updated
31 min: The goal came from a corner, it was a well worked move as Summanen took it short and Vinberg got it in the area. Spence had such a skilful shot, it looked as though England got a touch to it but she didn’t. United thought it was offside but the goal stands – no VAR here.
GOAL! Manchester United 1-1 Tottenham (England, 29)
Spence rifled it in and what a shot it is! England gives it a tap to make sure it is in.
Updated
28 min: Tottenham come forward now and Thomas makes a good run down the right and crosses in but Earps plucks it out of the sky.
26 min: Parris lays off an amazing pass, how she foresaw that is pure skill. Unfortunately Toone doesn’t connect and it instead reaches Galton who is offside.
24 min: Tottenham get in another good position but Vinberg drills it over the bar – Spurs need to take the opportunities because at the moment United are being more clinical.
22 min: United have not taken their foot off of the pedal, this time Le Tissier gets a shot at goal but Spencer collects. The hosts come again and Malard has a shot, Spencer saved it but the keeper can’t keep a hold of it but she does enough to recover before a United player could pounce on the rebound ball.
20 min: Zelem muscles Thomas off the ball to launch United’s latest attack. A long build-up sees Toone pop it into the box and it comes to Parris but she sees it out for a goal kick.
18 min: Naz finds space and picks out Vinberg in a great position but her effort is well wide – a massive opportunity wasted.
16 min: Malard is again the target in the box as Galton crosses in but it is well read by Spurs, the French player is having a great match so far.
15 min: United have really grown into this match, Tottenham were better early on but the hosts kept knocking on the door and the free kick was so precise to pick out Malard – a really well worked move. Spurs may rue the chance they didn’t take in the opening stages.
GOAL! Manchester United 1-0 Tottenham (Malard, 13)
Naz gives away a free kick and Evans takes it, Malard makes a great run and heads home.
12 min: United come forward and Parris passes a peach of a ball to Toone but her effort is wide. Spence tries to clear but she loses out to Malard, her initial cross doesn’t find a teammate but the hosts come again. Parris has a shot but Malard is offside and so Spurs can clear the danger.
10 min: Naz gives away a free kick and captain Zelem takes the set piece. The delivery is good but Tottenham do well to head it down and boot it clear.
8 min: Parris gets a good cross in but Thomas clears, the United forward is the best threat the hosts have in this game so far.
6 min: England passes a great ball to Thomas but Evans tracks back and see it out for a throw – the visitors have had a much better start here. The throw sees it passed to England who launches it into the box but it’s cleared easily. United look to break but Parris is fouled by Nilden. The free kick is taken quickly but Parris’ heavy touch allows Spurs to clear.
4 min: Vinberg is having a good start to this match and is muscling up in defence as well as attack. United have their first spell on the ball now but Naz does so well to press them, the space they thought they have is being suffocated.
Updated
2 min: It has been all Spurs so far and they had a great opportunity to open the scoring. Vinberg crossed a lovely ball to England but she fires it over the bar.
Kick-off! Manchester United 0-0 Tottenham
Here we go. An interesting encounter today with it being a preview of the Women’s FA Cup final in a few weeks.
The players will be out shortly at Leigh Sports Village, the last time Manchester United play at the stadium this season. They will play their final home game at Old Trafford against Chelsea in May.
Are you having a lazy Sunday? Is a roast in the oven while you keep up with the coverage today? Let me know via email or X (@rendellx). I have a meal deal for my lunch so please let me live vicariously through you!
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Manchester United beat Chelsea in the Women’s FA Cup semi-final and it was Emma Hayes’ side’s second win in as many weeks after losing the Conti Cup final to Arsenal. Chelsea took the hurt of those wins into their Women’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Barcelona. The Blues became the first team to beat Barcelona at home in five years, read the report:
Tottenham boss Robert Vilahamn said: “The mindset we have is on the next game, so the main thing is to have a good starting eleven, a good bench, a good game plan and try to beat Man Utd as we want to compete for the top four. Obviously, that is hard as there are not many games left, but we have a chance and we should go for it in this game.”
Manchester United manager Marc Skinner said of Tottenham: “All of a sudden you get that confidence and you get into a flow state. And I think they’ve really benefited from that this year. I think what you have to do as a coach playing against that is try and disrupt that flow. If you disrupt the flow and get them to think about how they’ve got to play football, then you can disrupt their team cohesion, it changes and it adapts.”
The team news is here. Manchester United bring Nikita Parris back into the line-up after she was benched against Chelsea.
Manchester United:
How the Reds start our final game at LSV this season... 📋🔴#MUWomen || #BarclaysWSL pic.twitter.com/EqXGHhA7YN
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) April 21, 2024
Grace Clinton will miss the FA Cup final and today’s match as she can’t face her parent club.
Tottenham:
Here’s our team to face United 📋#COYS 🤍 pic.twitter.com/SXw0IAU9f1
— Tottenham Hotspur Women (@SpursWomen) April 21, 2024
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Preamble
Hello and welcome back to our Women’s Super League coverage. First up today we have Manchester United v Tottenham in what is the first of two times the sides will play each other in the next few weeks.
The two clubs will face off in the Women’s FA Cup final on 12 May where the competition will have a new winner. That means this week not only will the teams be looking to get three points to aid their league ambitions but they will also be sussing out the opposition who stand in the way of silverware.
In the WSL United are fifth and a win today would see them jump into the top four once again. The club’s hopes of Women’s Champions League football are most likely gone but finishing in the top four will be their target now.
Tottenham, meanwhile, are in sixth and the three points would edge them closer to overtaking United in the table. We will have a look at what has been said in the build-up to this one shortly but first let’s take a look at the team news.
