Manchester United and Leicester City continued their unbeaten starts to the Women’s Super League season with an entertaining draw at Leigh Sports Village.
The hosts, who secured an impressive 1-1 draw with Paris St-Germain on their Champions League debut on Tuesday, suffered an early setback when they lost defender Gabby George to injury in the ninth minute.
But they recovered to carve out the better opportunities, coming closest to opening the scoring in first-half stoppage time when Hinata Miyazawa struck the underside of the bar.
Lucia Garcia also forced a good save from Leicester keeper Janina Leitzig before the break.
Leicester, who had won all three of their games prior to this fixture, were second best for large periods but snatched the lead early in the second half when Aileen Whelan turned in at the back post following a free-kick.
Manchester United responded well to that blow and deservedly equalised through Maya Le Tissier’s header.
United goalkeeper Mary Earps tipped over a strong Lena Petermann effort, while Nikita Parris put a header straight at Leitzig in the final seconds as both sides pushed for the winner.
The result means Leicester are second in the Women’s Super League, with Manchester United fifth.
Manchester United fight back again
The hosts will be disappointed not to take the victory given the many chances they had, but this was another battling display by the Red Devils.
They have conceded the first goal in every game they have played so far this season but have recovered each time to remain unbeaten in all competitions.
Manchester United went into this game looking to build on their impressive second-half display against PSG in midweek, and they certainly had the opportunities to win this game quite comfortably.
As well as Parris’ late chance, Rachel Williams headed over moments before the final whistle.
They missed the creativity of Geyse, who changed the game against PSG when she came on, as she was rested.
But a draw against a side who had won every game they had played so far this season is a decent result and once again highlights the fighting spirit of Marc Skinner’s side.
Line-ups
Man Utd Women
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 27Earps
- 6Blundell
- 4Le Tissier
- 21Turner
- 3GeorgeSubstituted forRiviereat 9′minutesSubstituted forEvansat 75′minutes
- 12LaddSubstituted forWilliamsat 57′minutes
- 10ZelemBooked at 58mins
- 17GarcíaSubstituted forGaltonat 57′minutes
- 20Miyazawa
- 9MalardSubstituted forTooneat 56′minutes
- 22Parris
Substitutes
- 7Toone
- 8Guerrero
- 11Galton
- 14Riviere
- 15Evans
- 16Naalsund
- 25Rabjohn
- 28Williams
- 91Tullis-Joyce
Leicester City Women
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Leitzig
- 4BottBooked at 52mins
- 5Howard
- 14GreenSubstituted forThibaudat 83′minutes
- 2NevinBooked at 42mins
- 20GoodwinSubstituted forCainat 45′minutesBooked at 55mins
- 3TierneyBooked at 72mins
- 11CaymanSubstituted forRantalaat 45′minutes
- 27O’BrienSubstituted forRoseat 45′minutes
- 10Whelan
- 9PetermannBooked at 51minsSubstituted forDraperat 90+4′minutes
Substitutes
- 6Palmer
- 7Rose
- 8Rantala
- 13Robinson
- 17Thibaud
- 21Cain
- 32Baker
- 38Mears
- 49Draper
- Referee:
- Adewunmi Soneye
- Attendance:
- 4,903
Live Text
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Match ends, Manchester United Women 1, Leicester City Women 1.
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Second Half ends, Manchester United Women 1, Leicester City Women 1.
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Attempt missed. Rachel Williams (Manchester United Women) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Katie Zelem with a cross.
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Attempt saved. Nikita Parris (Manchester United Women) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Katie Zelem.
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Leah Galton (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Sophie Howard (Leicester City Women).
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Attempt missed. Leah Galton (Manchester United Women) header from very close range misses to the right. Assisted by Katie Zelem with a cross following a corner.
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Corner, Manchester United Women. Conceded by Sophie Howard.
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Substitution, Leicester City Women. Denny Draper replaces Lena Petermann.
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Attempt saved. Hannah Blundell (Manchester United Women) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
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Attempt blocked. Leah Galton (Manchester United Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Katie Zelem.
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Offside, Leicester City Women. Julie Thibaud tries a through ball, but Lena Petermann is caught offside.
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Gemma Evans (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Hannah Cain (Leicester City Women).
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Substitution, Leicester City Women. Julie Thibaud replaces Josie Green because of an injury.
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Delay in match because of an injury Nikita Parris (Manchester United Women).
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Delay in match because of an injury Josie Green (Leicester City Women).
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Substitution, Manchester United Women. Gemma Evans replaces Jayde Riviere.