United were one of six Championship clubs in action on Sunday, recording a 12th league win of the season in their 14th game as they look to secure promotion to the top tier Women's Super League at the first attempt and take the additional bragging rights of winning the title.
FT: #MUWomen 6 Leicester City 1
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) March 10, 2019
United get the win after goals from @jessSigsworth5 (2), @mollie_green97, @laurenjamess22, @ellatoone99 and @KirstyHanson3. Leicester scored but that proved to be little more than a consolation as we pick up where we left off! pic.twitter.com/W1Qqx3Ury3
Club captain Alex Greenwood was only a substitute after returning from triumphant international duty with England at the SheBelieves Cup, but United were still in red hot form from the start, leading 3-0 at half-time after goals from Mollie Green, Lauren James and Kirsty Hanson.
Ella Toone, who was awarded the Women's Championship Player of the Month for February prior to kick-off, scored United's fourth soon after the break. Jess Sigsworth then bagged a brace after Libby Smith had pulled a consolation back for Leicester.
2 Games
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) March 10, 2019
5 Goals ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️@CaseyStoney presents @ellatoone99 with the #FAWC Player of the Month award for February! 磊 #MUWomen pic.twitter.com/Py7hqX91Xe
The Smith goal was only the fifth United have conceded in the league this season, with Casey Stoney's team scoring 69 in just 14 games, an average of nearly five per game, at the other end.
For Leicester, it was a fourth straight league defeat, with the sixth place Foxes now too far off the pace to have any realistic hopes of mounting a late promotion charge.
United's win over Leicester not only closed the gap to Tottenham, but also ensured they kept Durtham at arm's length in the second promotion spot.
Third place Durham, the only team to take any points off United this season, were in action against London Bees and won 1-0 courtesy of a single late goal from Kathryn Hill.
FT: DURHAM WIN!
— Durham Women FC (@DurhamWFC) March 10, 2019
Kathryn Hill's screamer is the difference between the sides as the Wildcats claim a vital three points! #DURvLON (1-0) pic.twitter.com/jcWukg7nvc
Elsewhere, Sheffield United put further distance between themselves and the bottom of the table by beating Crystal Palace. Jade Pennock and Ebony Salmon scored without reply for the Blades.
Source : 90min