da brwin： Ella Toone came off the bench to score a stunning winner for Manchester United as they beat Leicester 1-0 in the WSL.
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Toone started on the benchEarned Man Utd win in scrappy gameRed Devils move three clear of LiverpoolGettyTELL ME MORE
As many would have expected, United dominated the ball, particularly in the first half. Geyse was at the heart of the Red Devils attack and forced a great save from Janina Leitzig. Melvine Malard attempted an audacious overhead kick in what was another good chance for the visitors, but Leitzig stood firm again to keep the scores level.
Leicester's best chance of the half came through Jutta Rantala who did well to cut inside and fire towards goal but her effort just missed the target. Alongside the Finnish forward, Yuka Momiki was the other positive influence for the Foxes. The pair connected well and broke through the United backline several times, although to no avail.
With both teams struggling to find the back of the net, the managers made changes and United introduced some heavy firepower in Nikita Parris, Lucia Garcia and Toone. Leicester opted for Deanne Rose to provide some fresh legs but it was Momiki who had the best chance in the second half for the hosts, running onto a cross but firing straight into the arms of Mary Earps.
In the end, Toone broke the deadlock and it took a special strike to beat the goalkeeper. The England international picked the ball up from distance and struck sweetly into the top corner from distance to make it 1-0.
AdvertisementGettyTHE MVP
Toone will deservedly earn praise for her contributions to the scrappy win. United looked stale in front of goal and it was always going to take something special to break the deadlock. The 24-year-old notched her ninth goal contribution in the Women's Super League this season and helped her childhood club to a big win.
THE BIG LOSER
United's efforts in the final third were below their usual standards at the King Power Stadium. Marc Skinner's side rank fourth in the league for goals scored this season but Malard in particular had an off-day. It is a habit that the players will want to shake off ahead of their huge FA Cup final against Tottenham in May.
WHAT COMES NEXT?
Manchester United travel to Liverpool for their next WSL match and will be hoping to put some distance between themselves and their rivals. Meanwhile, Leicester take on West Ham in their penultimate game of the season.