WSL Full-Time
·28 April 2023
WSL Full-Time
·28 April 2023
The Red Devils looked set to be frustrated by Carla Ward’s hard-working Aston Villa side but there was to be a late twist with substitute Turner heading home a dramatic injury time winner in Walsall.
Manchester United dominated the early attacking play but they fell behind in the ninth minute when Rachel Daly superbly met a corner kick delivery and guided the ball into the far corner of the net with her head.
The Villans weren’t ahead for long. Ona Batlle delivered an inch-perfect cross into the box and Leah Galton was able to divert the ball into the net with her knee.
The hosts went close to regaining the lead seven minutes later but Anna Patten’s looping header came back off the bar before Aston Villa somehow cleared their lines from a scramble in the box at the other end.
In the 37th minute, Aston Villa went 2-1 up thanks to the brilliance of Daly. The England international superbly found the corner of the Manchester United net after meeting Maz Pacheco’s cut-back. The Villans went into the break ahead but they were maybe fortunate to do so after Hayley Ladd had a goal disallowed for what seemed to be a soft foul on keeper Hannah Hampton in the box.
Aston Villa forward Daly again threatened in the second half. She was inches away from completing her hat-trick, her powerful strike cannoned off the crossbar. The Villans were made to rue that missed opportunity when Manchester United levelled matters soon after. Nikita Parris popped up at the back post with a header which Hampton couldn’t keep out.
Manchester United looked the most likely to find a winning goal in the final third of the game but quality goalscoring opportunities were proving hard to come by. The game seemed set to end in a draw until defender Turner headed home the winner for the visitors from a Katie Zelem free-kick in the 93rd minute.
The victory moves Manchester United six points clear at the top of the Barclays Women’s Super League table, although The Red Devils have played more games than any of their title rivals.
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