Man Utd and Arsenal play out drab goalless draw

European champions Arsenal were held to a goalless draw at Manchester United in a Women's Super League game featuring few clear-cut chances.

Olivia Smith's effort was tipped on to the crossbar by United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce in the first half of an otherwise quiet affair.

Both teams struggled to assert control on the game at Leigh Sports Village, enjoying brief spells of pressure but ultimately lacking in quality.

There were tributes before and during the match to mark the sudden death of former Liverpool, West Ham and Chelsea manager Matt Beard on Saturday.

Supporters also carried out a minute's applause in memory of former Sheffield United footballer Maddy Cusack, who died two years ago this week.

Chelsea are now top of the WSL table having beaten Leicester earlier on Sunday, with United second and Arsenal third.

Manchester United analysis: Red Devils lack spark

Both Manchester United and Arsenal struggled to create chances on Sunday

Fresh from qualifying for the Champions League main stage on Thursday, United boss Marc Skinner made two changes to the side who beat Brann.

Hat-trick hero Elisabeth Terland dropped to the bench but United still had plenty of firepower on the pitch, with in-form Melvine Malard leading the line and the tricky Hinata Miyazawa behind her.

It was the hosts who applied early pressure and should have been 1-0 up when goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar spilled a cross, inviting a succession of shots, before Jess Park's effort was blocked on the goalline.

Malard had tested van Domselaar within 50 seconds of kick-off too, but United's early pressure did not come to anything.

Arsenal, fully rested without any midweek matches, were always going to wake up and they did, coming close via efforts from Alessia Russo, Caitlin Foord and Smith.

United regained a foothold in the second half, with former Barcelona winger Fridolina Rolfo looking assured on her first start since joining in the summer.

But they needed a spark - and despite Terland's entrance with 20 minutes to go and a late strike from Ella Toone which drifted just wide - they did not find it in front of a record crowd for a home game at Leigh Sports Village of 8,665.

Arsenal analysis: Smith and Taylor show strength

Arsenal forward Smith's resilience was tested on a tough afternoon for the 21-year-old, just hours after learning her former Liverpool manager Beard had died.

Visiting supporters paid their own tributes alongside United fans, starting a round of applause in the 47th minute and holding up a sign spelling out the words "We love you Beardy".

Like many on Sunday, Smith showed strength and had a bright first half in which she hit the crossbar, having come into the starting XI in place of England's Beth Mead.

She proved a handful for United full-back Anna Sandberg, reducing the threat of the Sweden international at the other end and pinning her back inside her own half for large spells.

Smith eventually came off in the second half, embracing team-mate Taylor Hinds warmly, with the ex-Liverpool vice-captain coming on in equally tough circumstances.

Overall, however, Arsenal lacked an edge in attack.

They teased with fluctuating intensity but were too sloppy, often giving the ball away or misplacing passes and only enjoyed fleeting spells of control.

Their best performer was young defender Katie Reid, who dealt with the explosive runs of Malard well throughout, showing her growing maturity in the WSL once again.

Having come through opening wins over London City and West Ham with ease, this was Arsenal's biggest test so far and they might be satisfied with a draw on the road - although they know points dropped in these kind of fixtures cost them in previous WSL campaigns.

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