Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist
Nikita Parris during Brighton's 1-1 draw with Manchester United.Getty Images

Nikita Parris earned Brighton a point against her former club

Manchester United’s 100% start in the Women’s Super League came to an end as former Red Devils striker Nikita Parris earned a point for Brighton & Hove Albion.

United took an early lead at the Amex Stadium through Grace Clinton but were pegged back early in the second half by Parris.

The visitors dominated most of the first half as Brighton struggled to cope with the aggressive pressing of Marc Skinner’s side.

United's Hinata Miyazawa forced Sophie Baggaley into a fine save inside the opening five minutes, but the pressure soon told as Clinton converted a pin-point cross from Celin Bizet with a smart near-post finish.

Baggaley was called into action again to deny Elisabeth Terland and Miyazawa, while only the crossbar prevented Clinton from doubling the advantage with a curling effort from the edge of the area.

Dario Vidosic’s side began to find their rhythm as half-time approached, and would have equalised had United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce not produced a stunning save to deny Madison Haley from close range.

Brighton’s resilience was rewarded seven minutes into the second half when a glancing header from Parris redirected Maria Thorisdottir’s strike past Tullis-Joyce.

Parris joined Brighton from United on transfer deadline day, a twist of fate leading her to become the first player to score against Skinner’s side this season.

The second half was much more even than the first, with United's Ella Toone and Brighton's Fran Kirby both forcing saves with long-range strikes.

The visitors cranked up the pressure in the final moments with Baggaley tipping Terland’s volley round the post.

With the points shared in front of a record WSL crowd at the Amex of 8,369, United move top of the WSL table on goal difference, tied on 10 points with Brighton and Manchester City.

Parris proves a point

Parris may have come into this game with a point to prove to her former employers, who she had joined from Arsenal in 2022.

The 30-year-old failed to establish herself as a regular starter during two years with United and hasn’t been included in an England squad since November 2022.

Players often do not celebrate scoring against a former club, but there was something cathartic about Parris pumping her fists and roaring in delight after drawing her side level with a poacher’s finish.

In the build-up to the match Parris, who has 71 England caps, said she wants to give Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman a selection "headache" before the European Championship next summer.

With two goals and an assist in the WSL this season and Brighton starting strongly, she might be about to do just that.

Brighton boss Vidosic said he had "a lot of fun" during Saturday's game and that his team are moving in the right direction.

"We started off slowly. That sense of belonging on this stage against a very good opponent and the possibility to go top of the WSL if we want – it’s a good learning curve for us.

"But then once we settled down, got into our game and did what we wanted to do we matched them and we created a lot of problems. It was a great game. I had a lot of fun as well.

"We know that there's still lots of improvement in the squad, but we're taking the right steps."

Strong start for United

Getty Images

United have taken 10 points from their opening four games

United boss Skinner predicted a close game on the south coast, but he might be disappointed his side didn't capitalise on their early dominance.

That said, United remain unbeaten after four games and could spend the international break top of the table.

Scoring eight goals and going 322 minutes without conceding is impressive, even if they are yet to face any of last season's top-four finishers.

"It was a really good game from both teams," Skinner said after the game. "Start of the second half we let off the pace a little bit and then we let a goal in which we won’t be happy with. But it happens.

"I thought we were exceptional for most of the game. The second part of the second half we took the game to them again and all of a sudden we could have won the game. To go and want to win the game at the end shows a great mindset.

"We are in a really good space and long may it continue."

Their first major test of the season will come at home to Arsenal on 3 November, a side out to prove themselves following their stumbling start and resignation of manager Jonas Eidevall.

It was a landmark day in Brighton for former Albion defender Maya le Tissier, who set a new record for the youngest player to make 100 appearances in the WSL.

"She is brilliant," Skinner said about his captain.

"She has come back to her old stomping ground. She is hugely important to what we do and she is a credit to our captaincy."

Player of the match

S. Baggaley
7.58
32 S. Baggaley
7.58
14 F. Kirby
7.47
9 N. Parris
7.34
59 M. Agyemang
7.00
3 P. Pattinson
6.71
18 M. Symonds
6.69
6 Vicky Losada
6.67
21 M. Haley
6.43
2 M. Þórisdóttir
6.36
19 M. Olislagers
6.28
16 J. Carabalí
6.20
5 G. Bergsvand
6.07
8 P. Bremer
6.04
20 Bruna Vilamala
6.00
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