Manchester United expose gulf in class as Casey Stoney's side dump Brighton & Hove Albion out of Women's FA Cup

Lauren James - Manchester United expose gulf in class as Casey Stoney's side dump Brighton & Hove Albion out of Women's FA Cup
Lauren James (right) scores her second goal of the Cup tie as United made easy pickings of Brighton Credit: GETTY IMAGES

Brighton & Hove Albion Women 0 Manchester United Women 2

Even at their worst, Casey Stoney’s Manchester United look every inch a Women’s Super League side. Victory number 13 of the season, over a struggling Brighton & Hove Albion side one division above them in this FA Cup tie fourth-round tie was, at times, a struggle, and a turgid first half saw the pair muster just a single shot between them in a combative first half-hour.

But they returned from the break with the bit between their teeth and the introduction of Lauren James, sister of Wigan’s Reece James and one of the WSL’s most daring attacking talents, restored United's habitual dominance. In their best spell they were a whir of aggression and urgency, pressing furiously and reducing Brighton to chasing shadows. Hope Powell’s side were like the child grabbed by the collar and held at arm’s length by the cartoon bullies, furiously and fruitlessly swiping at thin-air.

“We couldn’t hold the ball and we couldn’t string passes together,” said Brighton manager Powell. “[United] were technically very good. They were the better team and they deserved to go through.”

There was no let-up for Brighton until the moment, with 15 minutes left, United’s Amy Turner felled Kayleigh Green inside the area and the referee pointed to the spot. It was a late life-ring for a side that had spent most of the second half gasping for air, but Siobhan Chamberlain read the run of Danni Buet perfectly and dived low to her right to avert the danger.

By then, though, United were a goal to the good after James, escaping her marker, turned in Jess Sigworth’s cross with a ludicrous sense of ease. Her second goal, a supremely-taken finish to cap off a slaloming run, was even more delicious and it is terrifying that her date of birth is Sept 29, 2001.

It is rare to hear the manager of the team a whole league higher preview an FA Cup tie with the words “we are under no illusions of the task facing us this afternoon, and we’ll have to be at our very best to get a result today”, but Powell’s words were merely an acknowledgement of United’s undoubted ability. They have won their league games this season with an aggregate score of 52-4.

In a poor first half, Ella Toone’s innocuous prod towards goal was the only shot on target. Both teams pressed with aggession and defended stubbornly but there was barely, in truth, anything for them to defend. Their offensive efforts were undermined by hasty decision-making and momentum jerked and jolted awkwardly as the game lapsed into a staccato of arcing clearances.

Zalem forced Millie Turner into an ill-advised backpass but that was the only real moment of pressure United faced in a game in which Brighton waited until the 31st minute to muster their first shot. Aileen Whelan’s through ball to Ellie Brazil was snuffed out but her two shots on the rebound failed to breach the United rearguard.

Ellie Brazil was thwarted in a one v one by Chamberlain and, Whelan, powering down the right, watched her shot drift agonisingly wide when the game was still goalless. That was the home side’s best spell before United reverted to type.

Match details

Brighton & Hove Albion Women (4-4-2): Harris; Gibbons, Buet, F. Whelan, A. Whelan; Barton, Umotong (Green, 45), Legg (Brett, 69), Brazil; Williams, Connolly (Peplow, 83).
Subs not used: Hartley (gk), Natkiel, Simpkins, Hack.
Manchester United Women (4-3-3): Chambelain; Harris, Hanson (Galton, 45), M. Turner, Greenwood; A. Turner, Toone (Arnot, 90), Zalem, Harris; Green, Sigworth, Devlin (James, 45).
Subs not used: Ramsey (gk), Roberts, Smith, Palmer.
Goals: James (54, 90+3).

 

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