Elisabeth Terland hits winner as Man Utd edge Spurs to move up to second in WSL

Manchester United moved back into second place in the Women’s Super League after Elisabeth Terland’s early volley proved enough to secure a 1-0 win at Tottenham.

Arsenal had earlier climbed up from fourth, above United on goal difference, by beating Manchester City 4-3 in a trilling encounter at the Joie Stadium.

United made a fast start, with Norway forward Terland firing the visitors into a sixth-minute lead.

Spurs – looking to make up ground on the top four – showed plenty of endeavour, but lacked a cutting edge in attack as United closed out a fifth straight league win to sit seven points behind leaders Chelsea.

United were rewarded for a positive opening spell with a fine strike from Terland.

After a break down the right, the ball was worked back out to Jayde Riviere, who swept the ball into the penalty area where Terland guided it into the far corner.

Despite suffering such an early setback, Spurs slowly regrouped, with Hayley Raso getting away down the right, but her 20-yard shot was straight at United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce.

Terland remained a threat, taking a long ball down the right on into the Spurs penalty area before her low cross was cut out by Clare Hunt.

United were close to a second goal in the 36th minute when Ella Toone took possession in a central position outside the Spurs box and her looping effort dropped over a back-pedalling Lize Kop and onto the left corner of the crossbar.

Terland got into the Spurs box again at the end of the first half, latching onto some stray passing, but then slipped just as she cut back inside to shoot.

United continued to push for a second following the restart, with Terland just unable to make a proper connection with Toone’s dangerous ball in from the right before Dominique Janssen sent a long-range effort off target.

When Spurs did create some space around the United back line, Jess Naz saw her rising shot from the edge of the area well saved by Tullis-Joyce.

Spurs captain Beth England then sent a header over after getting up above United centre-back Millie Turner in the six-yard box.

United went close again in stoppage time following a break down the left from substitute Melvine Malard and Toone saw her shot blocked in a crowded Spurs penalty box, but the visitors had done enough.