Manchester United survived a scare to earn a hard-fought Women’s FA Cup victory over second tier Sunderland on Sunday afternoon, progressing to the fifth spherical with a 2-1 win.
Marc Skinner’s facet have been flying within the WSL this season and completed final weekend prime of the desk on aim distinction. But a mixture of Sunderland elevating their recreation in entrance a file house crowd, the hosts’ bodily strategy and a lower than ultimate enjoying floor made it powerful.
United struggled in opposition to Durham within the Conti Cup on their final journey to the north east solely three months in the past. And whereas they’d the lion’s share of the ball on the Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground, discovering the breakthrough proved to more difficult than most would have anticipated.
They have blown away Reading, Aston Villa and Liverpool in closely one-sided league video games this season, but Sunderland refused to go down with no struggle.
Ella Toone, Rachel Williams and Vilde Boe Risa all had first half probabilities and it was solely the closing levels earlier than the interval that United took the lead by way of Parris. The aim was made down the precise by star full-back Ona Batlle, jinking previous her marker to make simply sufficient room for the cross and provides Parris a comparatively easy volleyed end in the course of the penalty space.
Chances to increase the lead early within the second half went begging. Williams noticed a header simply miss the goal early on, whereas Martha Thomas didn’t get sufficient energy on a stab at aim that was gratefully grasped by Sunderland goalkeeper Claudia Moan.
Sunderland then flexed to equalise through a set-piece, Abby Holmes scored a looping far put up header from a nook than United defenders on the road have been unable to clear. But they weren’t degree for lengthy as Parris restored the guests’ benefit two minutes later, firing excessive previous Moan from close-range.
United finally had the depth to freshen issues up and keep in management within the closing quarter of the match, with new signing Estelle Cascarino handed a debut instantly after Sunderland equalised and Lucia Garcia happening to interchange Parris – each with worldwide expertise.
The draw for the fifth spherical will happen on Monday 30 January from 6:30pm. United will likely be ball quantity six within the pot.
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