Tottenham Hotspur Women 0-4 Manchester United Women: Melvine Malard shines in comfortable win

Manchester United kept pace in the Women’s Super League title race with a comfortable victory at Tottenham Hotspur.

United’s win keeps them four points behind leaders Chelsea and a point and place off the Champions League places.

Spurs are sixth and now winless in five league games.

United broke through shortly before the half-hour mark when miscommunication between Spurs keeper Becky Spencer and her defense allowed a deep Hannah Blundell cross to bounce between them and Malard got a toe to the ball to steer it home.

Toone then raced on to Malard’s lofted ball and finished past Spencer early in the second half, before United’s French number nine curled home a first-time shot from the edge of the box.

Ladd rounded off the scoring with six minutes left – a smart finish from 18 yards past the wrong-footed Spencer for the 11th goal Spurs have conceded in their last two matches.

A sole source of comfort in their first home league defeat of the season was the return of striker Bethany England. Spurs’ England international played 55 minutes in her first game of the season following hip surgery.

United maintain fine away form to match Arsenal and City

With Arsenal’s declaration win over Chelsea earlier on Sunday and Manchester City finding form – including a 7-0 thrashing of Spurs before the international break – United needed victory here to stay in touch with the top three, let alone keep their WSL title dreams alive.

It was the perfect time for Malard, signed in the summer from Lyon to replace Arsenal-bound Alessia Russo, to produce her most fruitful display in English football so far.

She was one of two players to come into the starting XI as changes from the victory at Bristol City before the international break, replacing Geyse.

While Geyse has greater pace and trickery, Malard produced a fine all-round striker’s display – a poacher’s instinct for the opener, creativity from deep for the second goal and composition for the third.

It has been an inconsistent campaign for Marc Skinner’s side, but their away form – 13 points and the joint most in the division alongside Arsenal – has maintained their hopes of a maiden WSL trophy.

Spurs struggle despite England return

For Spurs, forward England’s fitness is essential. She scored 12 goals in as many WSL matches last season after joining from Chelsea in January to help them move away from relegation danger.

England almost scored seven minutes into her return. Martha Thomas’ low shot was well saved by Mary Earps, and England stabbed in the rebound only to see it blocked on the line by Maya le Tissier.

But while they may have their main woman back up front, the form of Thomas is now a concern for manager Robert Vilahamn.

After six goals in her first four WSL matches, the Scot has not scored in the last five since a hat-trick against Aston Villa.

Vilahamn also has problems to solve in defense, with Spurs’ run without a WSL clean sheet now extending to 15 games.