2
Manchester United’s unbeaten begin to the season got here to an finish as they suffered a slim 1-0 defeat by the hands of Chelsea at Kingsmeadow.
Guro Reiten transformed from the penalty spot within the first half to make sure Chelsea clinched all three factors.
Marc Skinner began Phallon Tullis-Joyve with a defensive 4 of Jayde Riviere, Maya Le Tissier, Millie Turner and Gabrielle George forward of her.
Dominique Jannsen, Simi Awujo and Grace Clinton fashioned the midfield trio.
Rachel Williams led the assault, with Celin Bizet and Geyse Ferreira flanking her on both facet.
Chelsea began the brighter of the 2 sides, invading United’s field as they regarded to get an early lead.
Simply two minutes in, Lucy Bronze gave the ball away to Jannsen, who performed it to Williams. The United striker discovered George, who put in a cross however Hannah Hampton gathered it earlier than the chance might materialise.
On the different finish, Reiten tried to ship a low cross however Riviere produced a implausible block to forestall the ball from going into the hazard space. It appeared that United had conceded a nook however the referee awarded a goal-kick.
Chelsea saved the probabilities coming. On this event, Reiten performed the ball into the trail of Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, who made an try to search out the again of the online however Chelsea talisman Mayra Ramirez bought in the best way. United discovered it arduous to comprise Sandy Baltimore, who discovered herself with loads of house down the left.
There was an enormous likelihood for the Blues when a nook into the field fell to Sjoeke Nusken. The Chelsea midfielder fired a ferocious shot however fortunately for United, she couldn’t hit the goal. Moments later, Baltimore performed in a cross to Kaneryd however her effort didn’t require Tullis-Joyce to swing into motion.
quarter-hour in, Ramirez discovered herself via on purpose. Tullis-Joyce got here speeding out of her purpose to try to thwart her however within the course of, caught the foot of the Chelsea ahead. Ramirez inevitably went down and a penalty was awarded.
Reiten stepped as much as take and made no mistake from the spot-kick regardless of Tullis-Joyce diving the best means.
United seemingly settled after Chelsea took the lead and have been extra composed in possession. The Reds additionally demonstrated extra willingness to get out of their defensive shapes to try to restore parity. The ball was put into the hazard space and Williams rose to problem for it. Hampton did the identical in what regarded like a 50/50 problem however the referee gave Chelsea the free-kick and booked Williams.
Skinner’s facet stepped up the ante. Geyse received the ball down the left and let Williams take over possession. Williams crossed the ball into Bizet however the United winger couldn’t join with it.
United continued making use of the strain as half-time approached. Clinton’s deflected cross discovered Geyse, who tried a daring effort at purpose. Nonetheless, Millie Shiny slid in earlier than she might shoot. United didn’t make the following nook routine rely.
Turner and Le Tissier additionally got here up with some impressed moments of defending that prevented Chelsea from doubling their lead earlier than the 2 groups headed down the tunnel.
United started the second half with vitality and goal. Geyse had an early alternative, however her effort resulted in a goal-kick. Shortly after, a well-placed free-kick was delivered into the field, but the cluster of United gamers didn’t direct it on course.
Geyse was within the thick of the motion as soon as extra, unleashing a strike from outdoors the field that took a deflection en path to Hampton’s purpose. The shot initially gave the impression to be heading extensive however unexpectedly curved towards the highest nook. Hampton reacted swiftly, pulling off a fingertip save to disclaim what would have been a surprising purpose.
United launched into one other assault once more, as Geyse carried the ball ahead and gave it to Bizet on the sting of the world. The Norwegian didn’t deliver it underneath her spell and in a bid to win possession again, dedicated a foul.
Ramirez nearly bought on the rating sheet as she went for purpose from a really tight angle however she was thwarted by the sensible Tullis-Joyce.
After an hour of play, Skinner regarded to his bench and introduced on Melivne Malard and Leah Galton for Williams and Bizet respectively.
Chelsea had a promising alternative when Kaneryd discovered herself with loads of house simply outdoors the field. Linking up with Ramírez, she arrange a two-on-one state of affairs towards Le Tissier however opted to go at it alone. The United captain reacted swiftly, closing down the angle and blocking the shot successfully.
United turned down the strain barely and Chelsea took benefit, as they put in a flurry of crosses and corners. Nonetheless, credit score to United, they have been defensively stable.
With round 10 minutes of normal time left on the clock, Ramirez hit the bottom contained in the field, claiming she was caught within the face by Le Tissier however the referee waved play on, seemingly deeming that the contract was not robust sufficient to warrant a penalty
United had one other shut name when a ball was performed to Kaneryd on the best, exploiting the house left open with George caught out of place. The winger delivered a low cross to Ramírez within the heart of the field, however the striker’s effort lacked precision, firing straight at Tullis-Joyce, who made a cushty save.
Within the dying embers of proceedings, Skinner took off Awujo and introduced on Hayley Ladd.
As the sport entered added time, Geyse drilled a ball into the field, discovering Malard, who displayed glorious management to show, modify her footing, and unleash a robust shot. Hampton might solely watch as the trouble smashed towards the crossbar.
There was a free-kick and some corners for United – one among which noticed Tullis-Joyce go up entrance to offer an additional physique – however Chelsea’s defence proved too resilient to breach.
The outcome has left United in fifth place, with 15 factors gained from a attainable 24. United’s subsequent task is towards Liverpool, after the worldwide break.
Featured picture James Fearn through Getty Photos
