A first-half moment of magic from Elisabeth Terland ensured that Manchester United returned home from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a fifth-straight victory in the Barclays WSL. It was a win that returned Marc Skinner’s side to second in the table.

The Action

Manchester United travelled to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday night brimming with confidence. It has been a superb start to 2025 for Marc Skinner’s side as they have moved up to second in the Barclays WSL. Tottenham, themselves, came into this occasion with back-to-back victories in the league although a disappointing defeat in the FA Cup mid-week will have dented confidence.

Robert Vilahamn made six changes from the side that had lost to Everton. There was a first start for new signing Josefine Rybrink who slotted into midfield while Lize Kop returned in goal. Skinner, in contrast, had not had a cup fixture to contend with and was able to name an unchanged line-up to that which started against Brighton the previous week.

In a game with little quality on show, pretty much the sole moment of brilliance came in the sixth minute when Elisabeth Terland broke the deadlock. The Norwegian forward just loves scoring against Tottenham – it was her sixth goal against them in the two and a half years that she has been in England.

Manchester United dominated proceedings from then on with Spurs threatening every so often on the counter. Ella Toone came closest to adding to the score, lifting her effort over Kop but agonisingly onto the woodwork.

Tottenham have been struggling with their identity this season but they did improve at the start of the second half. Rybrink saw a series of efforts blocked and Bethany England headed over the bar, the best moments of the hosts’ uncomfortable evening. Down the other end, Kop kept out a driven effort from Millie Turner.

 

Ella Toone, Manchester United

 

Stand Out Moment

Elisabeth Terland’s breakthrough goal was one that illustrated her at her instinctive best. With Jayde Riviere sending in a dangerous cross from the right, she timed her run perfectly before opening her body to volley the ball home. It was an effort that will surely enter the goal of the month awards for February.

 

Stand Out Performance

Jayde Riviere was a constant source of threat for Manchester United in attack. Her driving runs from right full-back provided the visitors with the width they were needing and her delivery for Elisabeth Terland’s goal was emblematic of the kind of quality the Canadian defender can consistently produce.

 

Quote of the Day

I love all my teammates. I love a goal against Spurs, I guess.

Elisabeth Terland, Manchester United

Teams

TOTTENHAM

Lize Kop; Ashleigh Neville, Clare Hunt, Molly Bartrip, Amanda Nildén; Hayley Raso, Josefine Rybrink, Maite Oroz, Jess Naz; Thomas, England

Subs: Becky Spencer; Olga Ahtinen; Rosella Ayane; Luana Bühler; Anna Csiki; Charli Grant; Lenna Gunning-Williams; Olivia Holdt; Matilde Vinberg

Manager: Robert Vilahamn

 

MANCHESTER UNITED

Phallon Tullis-Joyce; Jayde Riviere, Maya Le Tissier (c), Millie Turner, Gabby George; Hinata Miyazawa, Dominique Janssen; Celin Bizet, Toone, Leah Galton; Elisabeth Terland

Subs: Safia Middleton-Patel; Simi Awujo; Grace Clinton; Melvine Malard; Aoife Mannion; Anna Sandberg; Rachel Williams

Manager: Marc Skinner

You may also like