Manchester United 4-0 Brighton: Early WSL leaders continue perfect start
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WSL: Toone scores twice as Man Utd thrash Brighton
Marc Skinner says his Manchester United players need "that little bit extra" to win trophies after beating Brighton comfortably to continue a perfect start to the Women's Super League campaign.
Ella Toone's double set up a ninth successive home league win, with Leah Galton and Adriana Leon also on target.
Skinner's side have won three out of three so far without conceding a goal.
"We are unbelievable at home because of the fans but we need to make sure we give the opponents nothing," he said.
"In the first half we were exceptional," added the manager, who predicted that United will require a flawless season to become champions.
"In the second half, we just have these little moments when we want to score more goals so we become a little bit complacent in terms of how to use the ball to get those goals.
"I am pleased with the energy and commitment from the team. The goals are great. For this team to win things, we just need that little bit extra."
Toone, who scored twice in the first 26 minutes, set up Galton to slot in five minutes before the break, and summer signing Leon made it four late on.
United went top after becoming the first team to win three games out of three in the WSL this season, and they stayed at the summit on goal difference after Arsenal could only beat Reading 1-0 on Sunday evening.
Danielle Carter shot wide for the visitors and goalkeeper Mary Earps thwarted Elisabeth Terland's effort from distance with a superb save, as Brighton remained ninth on three points.
Slick Man Utd outclass Brighton
Ella Toone's double helped Manchester United make it 32 goals in their past nine WSL home matches
United started their first game after the international break as the only team apart from Arsenal yet to have conceded in the WSL this season.
That record was rarely threatened by opponents who have never scored in four league visits to United and could not make the most of the rare chances they had at Leigh Sports Village.
Terland went close in Brighton's 4-0 defeat at Arsenal on the opening weekend and was unlucky not to score her first goal for the club when Earps kept her strike out in spectacular fashion.
United kicked off with the chance of starting a league season with three successive wins for the first time, and were troubling Brighton's backline regularly by the time Toone scored her first.
Toone then had to briefly recover off the pitch, having been winded shortly after putting United ahead - but given her form, it was no surprise that she was so keen to return to the action despite being in some discomfort.
No team has suffered more league away defeats than the six Brighton have endured in 2022 and United stretched them to telling effect on the flanks, particularly during the first half.
Toone and Galton's combination for the third was enough to persuade Brighton manager Hope Powell to make tactical tweaks at the interval, leading to a more even second half before Leon clinically curled in the fourth.
United will now hope they can build on their formidable home form with success on their travels when they visit Leicester and Everton in their remaining October fixtures.
"I want us to keep pushing our boundaries and keep growing in confidence, but also in our understanding of the game," Skinner said, praising Earps' save and calling for focus from his players.
"The wins are great and the performances are there - it's just that I want it consistently for as much of the game as possible."
Wins in those next two games could be crucial, with big tests to come immediately after that at home to Chelsea and away to Arsenal.