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Manchester United boss Marc Skinner has urged his stars to be more ruthless in front of goal as their perfect start to the WSL season was ended by Brighton & Hove Albion in a frustrating 1-1 draw.
Grace Clinton gave United the lead just 10 minutes in when she converted a superb cross from Celin Bizet.
Clinton produced a smart near-post finish to put the Reds on their way. However, Brighton grew into the game as time went by and they got their reward moments after the restart.
Former Red Nikita Parris headed the ball into the back of the net, well beyond the reach of goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
However, United had plenty of chances to score, with the likes of Hinata Miyazawa, Ella Toone and Elisabeth Terland all failing to convert the opportunities that fell to them.
Even Clinton had the chance to grab a brace but her powerful effort rattled the underside of the crossbar.
Prior to this, United had won all their matches and had yet to concede a goal. However, the result has left the team at the summit of the WSL table on goal difference with 10 points out of a possible 12.
After the match, Skinner spoke to club media and gave his verdict on the performance.
He said, “It was a really good game from both teams. It was a real tactical first-half and we had to deny them the spaces they wanted to go into. I felt like we exploited them when we got the ball and we had a couple of big chances which we have to be more ruthless with and then we get a goal. It’s a fantastic goal.”
“Start of the second half we maybe just let off the pace a little bit and they came out. We knew they were going to do that and then we let a goal in which we won’t be happy with. But it happens.”
On Brighton’s resurgence, Skinner remarked, “I think it was more personnel changes where they adapted the physicality they had, so now all of a sudden they could run behind and invade and because we were stopping them from playing through the central areas.”
“We just needed to be sharper in that defensive transition, a little bit quicker in reading where they’re playing but I thought we were exceptional for most of the game. What I loved more importantly is the second part of the second half we took the game to them again and all of a sudden we could have won the game.”
“That shows a team where…you’re going to have moments in any game where it’s a tough game, tight and sticky but to go and want to win the game at the end shows a great mindset. We are in a really good space and long may it continue.”
There was a moment in the game in which Bizet seemed to have been brought down inside the area. The referee did not award United a penalty.
Skinner said about this incident, “In my opinion it’s an absolute stonewall penalty. It’s a clumsy challenge and she goes over and it’s in the penalty area. Not even a foul is given. You will hopefully get them in games but it is a big moment.”
The United boss also heaped praise on club captain Maya Le Tissier, who broke the record for the youngest player to have started 100 WSL games.
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