Elisabeth TerlandImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Elisabeth Terland also scored twice against Spurs in a 3-0 win in October 2024

Manchester United moved into second place in the Women's Super League after Elisabeth Terland's superb first-half volley was enough to see off Tottenham.

Norwegian striker Terland despatched Jayde Riviere's sixth-minute cross clinically to put United ahead in a first half that Marc Skinner's side dominated.

Ella Toone went close to stretching the lead when her chip hit the post, but Terland, Leah Galton and Dominique Janssen all spurned good chances before the break.

Spurs could not find a way past the tightest defence in the WSL despite improving after the break, and United moved above Arsenal to trail unbeaten Chelsea by seven points after 13 games.

It was also United's fifth consecutive win, a run that started after their 1-0 defeat by Chelsea in their only loss in this season's WSL.

The game's solitary goal was a delight, Riviere quickly picking up on a second chance to pick out Terland after fine work by ex-Tottenham forward Celin Bizet, who was booed throughout by some home fans.

Terland found space to move on to Canada full-back Riviere's cross and clip it low and just inside the post beyond Spurs goalkeeper Lize Kop.

The hosts stepped up their performance after the restart but rarely threatened the United goal.

Jessica Naz shot straight at United keeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce, while Australian defender Clare Hunt scuffed a weak shot at Tullis-Joyce deep into stoppage time at the end of the match.

Mean United grind out solid success

At the final whistle, Skinner and his United side were clearly delighted at grinding out a win against opponents who had been in good form in recent weeks.

Spurs were unbeaten in four games, and had lost just twice in their last seven outings at home, but they were made to look second-best for much of this encounter.

United have kept a clean sheet in their last two WSL outings, and Rebecca Knaak's goal just before half-time in the Manchester derby was the last time Tullis-Joyce was beaten.

Toone's superb chip that shaved the post in the first half deserved to double their lead, and Terland could have added to her earlier goal just before half-time, but the 23-year-old former Brighton forward slipped and miskicked.

After the resumption it was the turn of United's defence to impress, and they held Spurs off with some comfort until Hunt missed her chance to equalise after 95 minutes.

Player of the match

Number: 7 E. Toone
Average rating 8.17
Number: 10 Maite Oroz
Average Rating: 6.90
Number: 1 L. Kop
Average Rating: 6.64
Number: 7 J. Naz
Average Rating: 6.60
Number: 9 B. England
Average Rating: 6.40
Number: 17 M. Thomas
Average Rating: 6.33
Number: 8 H. Raso
Average Rating: 6.22
Number: 12 J. Rybrink
Average Rating: 5.90
Number: 29 A. Neville
Average Rating: 5.89
Number: 5 M. Bartrip
Average Rating: 5.88
Number: 11 O. Holdt
Average Rating: 5.38
Number: 6 A. Nildén
Average Rating: 5.13
Number: 14 A. Csiki
Average Rating: 5.13
Number: 13 M. Vinberg
Average Rating: 5.13
Number: 15 C. Hunt
Average Rating: 5.00

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.