Ryan Asman

With many games in the WSL being postponed, the result now sees United move up to first, level on points with Chelsea, but with a superior goal difference. Reading remain tenth, four points above bottom-placed Leicester. 

United boss, Marc Skinner, named an unchanged side to the one that comfortably beat Liverpool 6-0 last weekend. Reading boss, Kelly Chambers named her 150th Reading line-up, making four changes to her team’s 3-2 loss last weekend. Defender Diane Caldwell came into the side to face her old team with Lily Woodham and Rachel Rowe also returning.

In front of a record crowd, at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, it was the visitors who dominated early on. Lucia Garcia picked up the ball and drove down the right-hand-side before picking out Katie Zelem, on the edge of the box, who saw her effort comfortably saved by Jackie Burns.

After soaking up a large amount of pressure from the visitors early on, Reading began to settle and show their attacking ability. Reading’s first chance came from a cleaver improvised flick on by Sanne Troelsgaard which found Emma Harries, whose rushed effort was gathered by Mary Earps. 

The home side had another chance a moment later when Justine Vanhaevermaet tried an audacious effort from the halfway line which left Earps backpedalling before watching the ball land on the roof of the net.

Despite some Reading chances, United continued to show their ability all over the pitch and dominated most of the possession but Reading’s defence stood compact and organised.

The visitors had a golden chance to break the deadlock moments before halftime, as they were given a penalty when Caldwell brought down Alessia Russo in the box. Zelem saw her shot saved by keeper Burns who got down low to make a great save. 

Half-time: Reading 0-0 Manchester United 

After a frustrating first half for United, they started the second half with clear attacking intent, but equal were Reading to the challenge, who defended well and continued to frustrate the visitors. 

United were clearly trying to attack down the wings and a nice bit of play by Nikita Parris and Garcia nearly resulted in a tap-in for Russo, who arrived late into the box.

United were creating chances but were missing the final product and ultimately had nothing to show for it. Emma Mukandi's last-ditch block prevented Ella Toone from scoring her fourth league goal of the season after a dummy from teammate Russo.

Both managers turned to the bench for inspiration as Tia Primmer replaced Troelsgaard for the home side and Martha Thomas replaced Nikita Parris for the visitors.

Earps was made to work for her record-breaking 50th WSL clean sheet. Woodham delivered in a great freekick which was met by the head of Vanhaevermaet who rose highest, but the England international did well to react quickly and put it behind for a corner.  

As United pushed for the breakthrough Skinner replaced Garcia with Rachel Williams

Williams made an instant impact, with three minutes to go, she picked up the ball and cleverly rode the challenges of Reading defenders before smashing the ball into the roof of the net to send United top of the WSL. 

Full-time: Reading 0-1 Manchester United

Line-Ups

Reading: Burns, Mukandi (C), Evans, Wellings (Bryson 90’), Eikeland, Harries (Dowie 90’), Caldwell, Rowe (Wade 85’), Vanhaevermaet, Woodham, Troelsgaard (64’)

Unused Subs: Moloney, Poulter, Jane

Manchester United: Earps, Batlle, Blundell, Toone, Zelem (C), Ladd, Le Tissier, Garcia (Williams 83’), Turner, Parris (Thomas 64’), Russo

Unused Subs: Baggaley, Mannion, Thorisdottir, Tounkara, Boe Risa, Leon

Goal: Williams (87’)

Attendance – 5,108