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Clinton strikes early to keep United on winning path

Staff WritersAAP
Manchester United women are building on last season's FA Cup final success in the new WSL campaign. (AP PHOTO)
Camera IconManchester United women are building on last season's FA Cup final success in the new WSL campaign. (AP PHOTO) Credit: AAP

Grace Clinton's early strike proved the winner as Manchester United, who finished last season by clinching the women's FA Cup final, made it two wins from their opening two Women's Super League matches of the new campaign with a 1-0 victory at Everton.

It took just four minutes for Clinton to open the scoring on Sunday after a mistake at the back by Justine Vanhaevermaet allowed the 21-year-old England international to pounce and fire into the top left corner.

Marc Skinner's side drew level on six points with league leaders and defending champions Chelsea, who lead on goal difference after their 7-0 triumph over WSL newcomers Crystal Palace on Friday.

Manchester City, who finished runners-up last campaign, picked up their first top-flight victory of the season with a 1-0 win over Brighton.

WSL 2023-24 golden boot winner Khadija Shaw scored her first league goal of the campaign in the 44th minute and City, who drew with Arsenal last weekend, dominated the second half but were unable to add to their tally.

Arsenal also bounced back from the City stalemate with their first win of the season, secured by Frida Maanum in the 55th minute of their 1-0 triumph at Leicester.

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Jonas Eidevall's team struggled to break down the well-organised hosts, whose goalkeeper Lize Kop made some fine saves before Norway international Maanum side-footed home from six yards 10 minutes after the break.

The visitors, however, were indebted to their debutant Dutch goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar, who produced a good save in the closing stages to deny Foxes captain Janice Cayman.

Arsenal sit in fourth place but level on four points with City in fifth and third-placed Tottenham, who salvaged a point through Bethany England's dramatic stoppage-time header in their 2-2 draw at Aston Villa.

Riko Ueki earned West Ham their first point of the season as the Londoners held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw.

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