Alessia Russo’s injury-time goal late in the first half was enough for Manchester United to complete the double over their rivals and extend their lead at the top with a 1-0 win over Arsenal in the Women’s Super League on Wednesday. table
After a torturous first half, it was table-toppers Manchester United who took the lead at the very end of stoppage time when Russo side-footed Nikita Parise’s cutback home.
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Starting the second half strongly, the hosts went in search of a second goal to wrap up the match, but Arsenal’s Manuela Ginsburger was no better.
Frustrated in attack, United were pushed back into their own half as the Gunners looked for a vital equalizer and Aoife Mannion made a key block to deny Stina Blackstenius a clear shot on goal on the hour.
Mannion was crucial for the hosts as they withstood heavy pressure from Arsenal late in the game but the defense held firm to keep out the three-time WSL champions.
The result was overshadowed by a first-half knee injury to Leah Williamson that forced the Arsenal vice-captain off on 15 minutes and is just the latest in a long line of injuries for Arsenal, who now travel to Wolfsburg to face the German champions. In the semi-finals of the Champions League.
United extended their lead over second-placed Chelsea, who have two games in hand, to four points, while Arsenal are third with 38 points, one game behind the leaders.
There was also movement at the other end of the table, with Brighton picking up their third win of the season in a hotly contested 3-2 win over Everton. The result sees the Seagulls up to 10th — and with a game in hand with teams around them — giving their survival hopes a clear boost.
