MY ACCOUNT
Marc Skinner insists Manchester United need a “miracle” to win the Women’s Super League despite taking the title race to the final day.
Lucia Garcia’s stoppage-time winner secured a thrilling 2-1 win over neighbours Manchester City, taking the Red Devils to within two points of leaders Chelsea ahead of the final round of fixtures.
Their hopes of a first ever WSL title remain slim, however, with United needing to beat Liverpool and hope the Blues lose at rock-bottom Reading.
If Emma Hayes’ side draw at the Madejski Stadium, United will need to beat their North West rivals by a six-goal margin to leapfrog them into top spot.
Skinner, 40, said: “We just need to win our game and score as many as we can, if we can, put Liverpool under pressure and do everything we can do.
“If it happens, it happens, it’s not in our control, so it would be wasted energy. If the miracle happens, I promise I will get a drink and we can have one together.”
A record crowd at Leigh Sports Village watched a thrilling spectacle as Hayley Ladd’s stunning early opener was cancelled out by Filippa Angeldahi for City, who had been reduced to 10 players after Ellie Roebuck’s red card.
Skinner’s side needed three points to keep their dream alive after Chelsea, who beat United in the FA Cup final, downed Arsenal earlier in the day.
And they secured them thanks to Garcia’s effort in the first minute of stoppage time.
Skinner added: “Tonight was special. If we can keep giving the fans that and European nights, we will be a force in this game for many years to come.
“We’ve achieved something wonderful, but we are not stopping here and at the end of the season I will smile and we will have a celebration.”
A Tayl of woe
The result also means City are set to finish outside the top three for the first time since 2014 due to Arsenal’s vastly superior goal difference.
Gareth Taylor admitted his disappointment and said the growing competitiveness of the English top flight means it will only get harder to seal Women’s Champions League football.
The City boss, who has agreed a one-year contract extension, said: “It is frustrating to miss out on Europe.
“It is a blow because you love being in the Champions League and in that situation. It is so tough now — there are four good teams going at it now competing for three places.”
On his side’s performance, he added: “It’s hard to put my finger on what went wrong.
“We didn’t start particularly well but I felt that after we conceded we were the team that really got on top of the game and had sustained pressure and attempts at their goal.
“I thought the players were outstanding in the effort they put in and sometimes you just don’t get the rub of the green.
“We didn’t get that tonight, whether it was from the officials or the chances we created at the end.”
Women’s Super League Matchday 22 results
Tottenham 4-1 Reading
Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal
Everton 2-1 Brighton
Aston Villa 3-3 Liverpool
Leicester 1-2 West Ham
Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City
