Chelsea hit five as Manchester United suffer second WSL defeat

Chelsea beat Manchester United 5-0 in the Women's Super League on Sunday, leaving Eva Olid's side without a point after two matches. BBC Sport reported that the visitors produced 25 shots in Leigh while United managed only two, with one on target. The defeat followed United's 2-1 loss to London City Lionesses on the opening weekend.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Hin2JXnKog

According to the Guardian's match report, Sjoeke Nüsken opened the scoring after Wieke Kaptein capitalised on Dominique Janssen's failure to deal with a ball from Lucy Bronze. Kaptein supplied Nüsken for a close-range finish. Keira Walsh then doubled the advantage from outside the penalty area after Bronze redirected a defensive clearance into her path.

Lauren James, operating in a roaming attacking role, made it three after the hour. The Guardian reported that she collected Walsh's pass, held off Janssen and finished low. James and Nüsken had alternated in the forward positions, with Aggie Beever-Jones starting on the bench after leading the attack against Aston Villa the previous weekend.

Ellie Carpenter added Chelsea's fourth, converting at the second attempt after Phallon Tullis-Joyce saved her initial effort. Kaptein had won possession from Janssen before releasing the defender. Bronze completed the scoring in the final minute of stoppage time after Walsh returned a corner into the crowded goalmouth, according to the Guardian's account of the match.

BBC Sport reported that United's only attempts came from Elisabeth Terland early in the game and substitute Lea Schuller late on. Olid said her players needed to retain possession for longer, avoid turnovers that created transitions and defend the wide areas better. She also stressed that the season was only two matches old.

United have now failed to win either of their first two WSL fixtures for the first time since their debut 2019-20 campaign, BBC Sport reported. Terland said the players were adjusting to a different style under Olid and needed time to develop it. Their next league assignment is away to Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.