Manchester United Women returned to Women’s Super League play on Sunday after a week off, and had little trouble with last season’s FA Cup Final opponents. The Reds won 3-0 against Tottenham Hotspur thanks to new signing Elisabeth Terland, who scored her first goals in a red shirt after her move from Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer.
Terland scored 13 goals for the Seagulls last season and was a prized transfer target for the big clubs in England this summer. She was limited in chances but failed to convert on a couple of high xG chances in her first two games, so getting off the mark against a decent Tottenham team was a good way to open her account and ease doubts about making a move up to United.
Jayde Riviere and Geyse both missed the match through injury, meaning former Spurs loanee Grace Clinton and former Spurs winger Celin Bizet got the start on right, and both made an impression early to help United take the lead.
Bizet fired a pair of Terland-seeking missiles in the first half, charging up from right back to find her fellow Norway teammate and give United a 2-0 lead.
Terland skillfully challenged the defender to volley home the first goal, and used her head for the second as United struck twice in just a few minutes at the end of the half, taking a 2-0 lead into the break.
United wrapped things up before the hour, with captain Maya Le Tissier converting from the penalty spot to give the Reds a 3-0 lead.
Simi Awujo and Hinata Miyazawa arrived alongside Rachel Williams to help see out the win, and Miyazawa nearly scored from the left to make it 4-0, but her shot was denied by Spencer.
In the end 3-0 was enough. United avoided further injury worry after Phallon Tullis-Joyce went down, though returned to see out the game after examination from the physios.