Late drama saw Marc Skinner's side snatch a point from the Seagulls but they are now four points off Women's Super League leaders Chelsea
Ella Toone, Mary Earps and Guro Bergsvand all thought they'd performed the decisive heroics in Manchester United's rollercoaster 2-2 draw with Brighton on Sunday night. But it was Rachel Williams' 98th minute equaliser that proved to be the defining moment on what was, despite the late drama, still a very disappointing day out for the Red Devils. They now sit four points off Women's Super League leaders Chelsea after winning just two of their first five games of the season.
The warning signs were there for Man Utd, who were breathing a sigh of relief when Pauline Bremer's cross-cum-shot hit Earps' crossbar with less than 20 minutes on the clock. Moments later, Jorelyn Carabali forced a good save out of the England shot-stopper and, on the half hour mark, Elisabeth Terland beat her to fire the hosts into the lead, with Maya Le Tissier and Millie Turner completely unaware of the Brighton forward's presence after Toone had lost the ball in her own half.
United had plenty of chances to level the scores before the break with Geyse hitting the post, Leah Galton heading over from close range and Turner being denied brilliantly from close range by former Red Devil Sophie Baggaley. Toone would finally get that equaliser they were searching for when she hit an unstoppable strike into the top corner deep into the second half but there was still time for not one but two final twists.
After Earps had already been forced into two fine saves and Williams had hit the post at the other end, Bergsvand rose highest in the box to score an 89th minute goal that seemed certain to be the match-winner. But United have been here already this season and so has Williams. Brought on as a super sub to save the day on the opening weekend at Aston Villa, she performed more heroics on the south coast with an even later goal to snatch a point for Marc Skinner's side.
GOAL rates Man Utd's players from the Broadfield Stadium…
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Mary Earps (7/10):
Made several huge saves to keep her team in it despite an under-par performance.
Jayde Riviere (6/10):
A little sloppy on the ball at times but got forward well, creating a fantastic chance for Galton late in the first half.
Maya Le Tissier (5/10):
Caught out on the counter a couple of times. Neither her nor Turner were aware enough of Terland for the goal.
Millie Turner (5/10):
Generally good in possession but, again, left Terland all alone for the goal.
Hannah Blundell (6/10):
Linked up well with Galton to cause problems.
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Katie Zelem (5/10):
United's intention to go out wide rather than through the middle meant she didn't get on the ball a lot.
Hinata Miyazawa (6/10):
Some intelligent touches and movement. Pressed well, too.
Ella Toone (6/10):
Dispossessed in her own half in an error that led to Brighton's opener but made up for it with a wonder strike to level the scores.
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Melvine Malard (6/10):
Forced an outstanding save out of Baggaley early on and was lively throughout, despite being played in a position that didn't seem to suit her – again.
Geyse (5/10):
Hit the post with a massive chance in the first half. Generally wasteful in front of goal.
Leah Galton (6/10):
A constant threat, though did miss a big chance from close range in the first half.
GettySubs & Manager
Lucia Garcia (N/A):
Couldn't impact the game from the bench.
Rachel Williams (7/10):
Came on with less than 20 minutes left but still managed to perform heroics. Hit the post before that as well.
Nikita Parris (N/A):
Only on for the final few minutes.
Marc Skinner (5/10):
Decision to play Malard, a natural finisher, out wide continues to be baffling, especially given how wasteful in front of goal United were in this game. Super sub Williams again had to save the day after a poor performance.