Soccer

Man Utd continue winning start to WSL season thanks to Grace Clinton strike

There were also wins for Manchester City and Arsenal.

Grace Clinton’s goal extended Manchester United’s record to two wins from their opening two Women’s Super League matches
Grace Clinton’s goal extended Manchester United’s record to two wins from their opening two Women’s Super League matches (Joe Giddens/PA)

Grace Clinton’s early strike proved the winner as Manchester United made it two wins from their opening two Women’s Super League matches with a 1-0 victory at Everton.

It took just four minutes for Clinton to open the scoring after a mistake at the back by Justine Vanhaevermaet allowed the 21-year-old England international to pounce and fire into the top left corner.

Marc Skinner’s side drew level on six points with league leaders and defending champions Chelsea, who lead on goal difference after their 7-0 triumph over WSL newcomers Crystal Palace on Friday.

Manchester City, who finished runners-up last campaign, picked up their first top-flight victory of the season with a 1-0 win over Brighton.

WSL 2023-24 golden boot winner Khadija Shaw scored her first league goal of the campaign in the 44th minute and City, who drew with Arsenal last weekend, dominated the second half but were unable to add to their tally.

Arsenal also bounced back from the City stalemate with their first win of the season, secured by Frida Maanum in the 55th minute of their 1-0 triumph at Leicester.

Jonas Eidevall’s team struggled to break down the well-organised hosts, whose goalkeeper Lize Kop made some fine saves before Norway international Maanum side-footed home from six yards 10 minutes after the break.

The visitors, however, were indebted to their debutant Dutch goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar, who produced a good save in the closing stages to deny Foxes captain Janice Cayman.

Arsenal sit in fourth place but level on four points with City in fifth and third-placed Tottenham, who salvaged a point through Bethany England’s dramatic stoppage-time header in their 2-2 draw at Aston Villa.

Eveliina Summanen fired Spurs in front with a 23rd-minute penalty, but it was not until the opener was cancelled out by substitute Adriana Leon in the 78th minute that the contest really opened up.

Rachel Daly nodded the hosts into a first-time lead in the 88th minute, but England drew the sides back level in the sixth of nine added minutes.

Riko Ueki earned West Ham their first point of the season as the Hammers held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw.

Olivia Smith scored her first goal for Liverpool since joining from Sporting Lisbon over the summer, putting them ahead just seven minutes into the match, but Japan international Ueki levelled with five minutes left.