Match ends, Manchester United Women 2, Bristol City Women 0.
Man Utd WomenManchester United Women2Bristol City WomenBristol City Women0
Lisa Naalsund's double proved enough for Manchester United to edge past Women's Super League strugglers Bristol City.
Naalsund gave United a ninth-minute lead, rolling the ball past her marker after a skilful run before firing past Shae Yanez.
The Red Devils had the majority of the ball and tried to find ways to extend their lead, but were unproductive in the final third until Naalsund turned home from a corner in added time.
Bristol City - who are bottom of the table with just six points from 16 games - had come close to equalising at 1-0 down when Shania Hayles rattled the post in the second half.
The visitors showed glimpses of their attacking threat, particularly with pace on the counter-attack, but didn't produce many clear-cut chances - just like United.
City's hopes were also hit when defender Jamie Lee-Napier was sent off in the 82nd minute after picking up a second yellow card.
Naalsund's second goal settled the outcome as United held out for a clean sheet and victory that kept them fourth in the table and six points behind third-placed Arsenal.
Bristol City miss chance for vital points
Time is rapidly running out for Bristol City.
Having returned to the top flight, they seem destined to be relegated back to the Championship at the first time of asking with a six-point deficit to West Ham United.
They have won just one game this season and have Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal left to play in their final six games.
Lauren Smith's side will be frustrated by the fact they were unable to pick up what would have been vital points against United, with Bristol City mostly holding their own on Sunday.
Their deep defending frustrated United, making it difficult for them to find a way to get behind their backline and reach any areas where they could threaten.
Barring the two goals, goalkeeper Yanez had little to do as United failed to show their superior quality.
The hosts continually tried to fashion more chances, knocking the ball around the visitors' third, but were often unable to disrupt Bristol City's defensive shape.
Naalsund's second goal, which came when she hooked a corner past Yanez in the fifth minute of stoppage time, meant the result glossed over a performance that had been far from convincing.
Her two strikes were the only shots on target for the Red Devils.
Reaching the Champions League is likely out of reach for United, who would need to close their six-point gap with Arsenal, but it is another step in the right direction nevertheless.
For Bristol City, this 12th defeat of a disappointing campaign was another missed opportunity to try to salvage safety.
Line-ups
Man Utd Women
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 27Earps
- 14Riviere
- 4Le Tissier
- 21Turner
- 6Blundell
- 10Zelem
- 16Naalsund
- 17García
- 7Toone
- 9MalardSubstituted forda Silva Ferreiraat 58'minutes
- 22ParrisSubstituted forWilliamsat 75'minutes
Substitutes
- 5Mannion
- 8Guerrero
- 12Ladd
- 15Evans
- 23da Silva Ferreira
- 25Rabjohn
- 28Williams
- 36Aherne
- 91Tullis-Joyce
Bristol City Women
Formation 5-4-1
- 30Yañez
- 2PowellSubstituted forHarrisonat 64'minutesBooked at 90mins
- 5Aspin
- 6Connolly
- 3StruckSubstituted forStratigakisat 64'minutes
- 11NapierBooked at 82mins
- 24MorganSubstituted forEvansat 90'minutes
- 8Rodgers
- 16Syme
- 9HaylesSubstituted forWardat 53'minutes
- 17Thestrup
Substitutes
- 1Bentley
- 7Harrison
- 13Clark
- 15Bull
- 18Stratigakis
- 22Evans
- 29Ward
- 36Slocombe
- 39Kendall
- Referee:
- Elizabeth Simms
- Attendance:
- 4,254
Match Stats
Home TeamMan Utd WomenAway TeamBristol City Women
- Possession
- Home67%
- Away33%
- Shots
- Home8
- Away3
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away0
- Corners
- Home8
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home4
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Manchester United Women 2, Bristol City Women 0.
Booking
Abi Harrison (Bristol City Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Geyse (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Abi Harrison (Bristol City Women).
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Corner, Manchester United Women. Conceded by Mari Ward.
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Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Amalie Thestrup (Bristol City Women).
Goal!
Goal! Manchester United Women 2, Bristol City Women 0. Lisa Naalsund (Manchester United Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Katie Zelem with a cross following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Manchester United Women. Conceded by Mari Ward.
Post update
Attempt missed. Geyse (Manchester United Women) right footed shot from the right side of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Lucía García.
Substitution
Substitution, Bristol City Women. Lisa Evans replaces Ffion Morgan.
Post update
Attempt missed. Lucía García (Manchester United Women) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses the top right corner. Assisted by Katie Zelem with a cross following a set piece situation.
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Delay in match because of an injury Shae Yañez (Bristol City Women).
Post update
Rachel Williams (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Sarah Stratigakis (Bristol City Women).
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Attempt missed. Rachel Williams (Manchester United Women) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Lisa Naalsund.
Post update
Corner, Manchester United Women. Conceded by Abi Harrison.
Post update
Corner, Manchester United Women. Conceded by Brooke Aspin.
Comments
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A couple of games in and it was painfully obvious they were going straight back down.
The disparity in this division between the haves and the have-nots is more abyss than chasm.
MAN U....wot history and prestige