Brighton and Hove Albion crashed out of the FA Women’s Cup. Manchester United displayed a dominating performance and secured a convincing 4-0 win at the Broadfield Stadium. The Norwegian midfielder Lisa Naalsund confirmed the Seagulls knockout after a lovely strike in the 59th minute. Report by Samuel Skedge
Manchester United came into the game as favorites sitting in fourth position in the Women’s Super League and previously knocking out Brighton in last year’s Semi-Finals. Right from the start of the whistle, the Red Devils looked like the better team with high press and attacking prowess made Brighton players look very uncomfortable on the ball. The game was practically over in the first half as United was 3-0 up, with goals coming from Millie Turner, Nikita Parris and Lucia Garcia. The skilful Lisa Naalsund added a fourth to cement Brighton’s defeat.
The Hosts were unchanged from their dominant 7-3 win over Bristol City as Brighton manager Mikey Harris had his sights on the next round of the cup. United head coach Marc Skinner made three changes after their disappointing 1-1 draw against West Ham, bringing in Jayde Riviere, Lisa Naalsund and Lucia Garcia.
A very competitive start showed a very attacking United team, as they took the early lead in the 8th minute. A corner was headed away just outside the box where Katie Zelem collected the ball and crossed it to the back post where the unmarked Millie Turner headed home.
The Red Devils was looking to double their lead over Brighton as the skilful striker Melvine Malard juggled with the ball and hit a first-time volley but was met by a comfortable save from the goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley. However, just after this, they did find the double, after winning the ball back Malard played a perfectly paced ball and Nikita Parris slotted the ball past the keeper in the 17th minute. This converted goal made it her third goal of the competition.
Sloppy play from the Seagulls saw them lose possession in their box after United’s high pressure caught out Brighton’s goalkeeper and defender. Fortunately for Albion Lisa Naalsund got too much under the ball and saw her shot go over the bar. Despite some chances for Brighton, particularly from a deep cross finding Bremer, United maintained control.
A corner for Manchester United found Hannah Blundell hunting on the edge of the box and she fired towards goals, but the goalkeeper tipped it over the bar with a fantastic acrobatic save. A third goal just before halftime, scored by Lucia Garcia after a shot hit the post, further solidified United’s dominance.
The Manchester side kept up their momentum from the first half as Malard played through but couldn’t get her well-deserved goal and was denied by the goalkeeper. In the 59th minute Naalsund cuts inside of the defender to fire a fantastic shot with her right foot and rifled the ball into the back of the net to make it 4-0.
Brighton’s lacklustre performance, with only one shot on target, contributed to their elimination from the competition. They now turn their focus to the Women’s Super League, where they will face Manchester City next. Meanwhile, Manchester United advances to the Semi-Finals of the FA Women’s Cup, awaiting their next opponent, which will be determined on Tuesday.
