MY ACCOUNT
Manchester United forward Leah Galton hailed her blossoming partnership with Ella Toone as the Red Devils cruised to a 4-0 win over Brighton.
Toone scored twice before teeing up Galton for United’s third, with Adriana Leon netting a fourth in the second half to seal a comfortable victory at Leigh Sports Village.
A fine save from Mary Earps to deny Elisabeth Terland ensured another clean sheet for Marc Skinner’s side, who are yet to concede a league goal in three games this term.
Galton, 28, said: “I really enjoy playing with Ella and coming off the back of the Euros she’s been quality, so I’m just going to keep going to try to get goals and assists.
“I thought we did really well and I’m really proud of all the girls.”
The victory means United are unbeaten in their last nine league games at their home ground — a run Galton wants to ensure continues.
She added: “It’s fantastic and we just have to keep it up for every home game, we really need to keep that form.”
Despite his side’s excellent start to the campaign, Skinner insists there is room for improvement
The United boss said: “We’ve still got more to come.
“We [were] very dominant in the first half. Second half, there was a lull where we need to own the game.
“There are moments we could fix and be better at. Once we did that, we created more chances and were dominant again.”
Chelsea win without Hayes
Chelsea won their first game without boss Emma Hayes as Pernille Harder marked her first WSL appearance of the season with two goals in a 3-1 win at Everton.
The Blues manager announced earlier in the week that she was taking time off from first-team duties to recover from an emergency hysterectomy.
Players wore training shirts reading “Get well soon Emma” before their clash at Walton Hall Park on Sunday — a tribute the men’s team reciprocated at Aston Villa.
Danish star Harder, 29, put the WSL champions in the driving seat before a Kadeisha Buchanan own goal drew the hosts level.
But Harder’s penalty restored the advantage and Niamh Charles sealed the win in stoppage time.
Assistant boss Paul Green was happy with the performance following a difficult week in West London.
He said: “We’re absolutely delighted to come to a tough place in Everton, a very improving team and give a professional performance and get the three points that we set out to.
“We’re really happy that Pernille is back in the squad and comes back with a brace.
“We thought it was a really professional performance in trying circumstances this week without Emma. I thought everyone pulled together and we were worthy winners.
“I think [it is] testament to everybody this week and moving forward that we will have the confidence to get the results we need in this period to make sure that when Emma comes back, we are challenging on all fronts.
“That’s the aim of the staff and I think everyone has really stepped up this week and will continue to do that in Emma’s absence.”
WSL Matchday 4 results in full
Aston Villa 1-2 West Ham
Manchester United 4-0 Brighton
Everton 1-3 Chelsea
Manchester City 4-0 Leicester
Tottenham 1-0 Liverpool
Reading 0-1 Arsenal
