Manchester United open up WSL lead after Leah Galton punishes Brighton

Manchester United opened up a three-point lead over their title rivals with a comfortable victory over relegation-battling Brighton. Two goals from the in-form Leah Galton and late additions from Rachel Williams and Lucía Garcia were enough for Marc Skinner’s side to swing the pendulum of pressure back on to their title rivals as the WSL continues towards a fascinating conclusion.

Accompanied by their strong travelling support, the league leaders arrived in Crawley on the back of a 4-0 victory against West Ham last weekend with Skinner making just one change. The Norwegian midfielder Vilde Bøe Risa came in for Nikita Parris with both Maya Le Tissier and Alessia Russo starting against their former club.

Despite the differing fortunes of these two sides this season, it was not a straightforward afternoon for United. On the bumpy pitch of a buzzing Broadfield Stadium, they struggled to hit top gear against a dogged Brighton.

Their struggles this year are no secret. Winless since November, Amy Merricks’ side sit two points off bottom-placed Leicester, despite showing improved performances in recent weeks. Brighton’s interim manager was full of fighting talk pre-match but her side have severe defensive issues, having now conceded more goals than any other team in the division this season.

As predicted, it was the visitors who began the game on the front foot with the running of Russo and Galton stretching Brighton’s defence. It took just 13 minutes for them to get their noses in front when Galton got her head on the end of a trademark Katie Zelem delivery. Brighton protested, adamant that Lydia Williams had been impeded, but Stacey Fullicks waved their pleas away.

Despite conceding early, Brighton did not let their heads drop