Man Utd 2-0 Brighton: Nikita Parris nets twice as Brighton interim boss loses first game

February 2024 · 4 minute read

Mikey Harris suffered defeat in his first match as Brighton interim boss as Nikita Parris scored twice again for Manchester United.

The England forward has been in electric form this season, netting eight goals in the WSL and leading United's goalscoring charts.

Her clinical finishing was enough to give United a second successive home victory, keeping them within reach of the league's top three.

Euro 2022 winner Parris missed out on the Lionesses' squad that reached the Women's World Cup final in August - but asked if she should be considered for an England recall, United boss Marc Skinner said it was "not his decision to make".

"Nikita has shown all the qualities of a true number nine. She's in probably one of the best moments of form," added Skinner.

"It's got to be hard to ignore, right? Because I think she's in a really good space right now. Even her back-to-play stuff has got better - she's concentrating, linking play and her runs are perfect.

"She's in a real good space and hopefully she gets rewarded for that if Sarina [Wiegman] and her team think that's right at this moment."

Brighton remain 10th in the table following their eighth defeat of the season, which came three days after manager Melissa Phillips was surprisingly sacked after nine months in charge.

Promise for Harris as Parris provides the goods

It's been a testing week for Brighton following Phillips' sacking and interim boss Harris, who comes over from the men's academy, admitted on Friday he had yet to meet all of his staff.

He would have been pleased with the first-half performance, all things considered, as Brighton moved the ball around nicely and limited United to just one shot on target - Parris' goal.

But they lacked an edge up front, their only threat provided by Elisabeth Terland's two instinctive strikes, both saved by England goalkeeper Mary Earps.

United, meanwhile, had spells of pressure but relied heavily on the skill and pace of Geyse down the right-hand side. The Brazilian was a standout performer throughout and set up Parris for the opener within nine minutes.

Brighton full-back Poppy Pattinson showed her frustrations in the second half with a few fouls on Geyse and was booed by the home fans for the remainder of the match.

But it was not enough to stop Geyse having an impact as she again carried the ball down the right before teeing up Parris for her second, just as Brighton had started to enjoy a spell of possession inside United's half.

"I would hope you watch Geyse and get excited. She has a wonderful ability and I think she's at home on that right-hand side," said Skinner.

"I think as she gets even more confidence you will see more goals. If I was a left-back, I would hate to play against her. Poppy Pattinson did a really good job at trying to stop her at times - but she has this unbelievable quality.

"She excites our fans and our team. She's a real, world-class player."

Parris' performances this season have been a huge positive for manager Marc Skinner, who was still left wanting more from his side on occasions - but United deserved their victory.

Line-ups

Man Utd Women

Formation 4-2-3-1

27Earps

14Riviere4Le Tissier21Turner6Blundell

16Naalsund10Zelem

23da Silva Ferreira7Toone17García

22Parris

Substitutes

Brighton Women

Formation 4-4-2

32Baggaley

16Kullberg5Bergsvand2Thorisdóttir3Pattinson

22Robinson10Olme6Losada7Sarri

9Lee11Terland

Substitutes

Referee:Megan Wilson

Attendance:4,060

Match Stats

Live Text

  • Match ends, Manchester United Women 2, Brighton and Hove Albion Women 0.

  • Second Half ends, Manchester United Women 2, Brighton and Hove Albion Women 0.

  • Foul by Lisa Naalsund (Manchester United Women).

  • Julia Olme (Brighton and Hove Albion Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  • Foul by Melvine Malard (Manchester United Women).

  • Jorelyn Carabalí (Brighton and Hove Albion Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  • Attempt saved. Irene Guerrero (Manchester United Women) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Lisa Naalsund.

  • Hand ball by Leah Galton (Manchester United Women).

  • Attempt saved. Melvine Malard (Manchester United Women) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Katie Zelem with a cross.

  • Corner, Manchester United Women. Conceded by Emma Kullberg.

  • Katie Zelem (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  • Foul by Tatiana Pinto (Brighton and Hove Albion Women).

  • Substitution, Brighton and Hove Albion Women. Jorelyn Carabalí replaces Maria Thorisdóttir.

  • Substitution, Brighton and Hove Albion Women. Lily Dent replaces Veatriki Sarri.

  • Substitution, Manchester United Women. Melvine Malard replaces Geyse Ferreira.

  • Substitution, Manchester United Women. Rachel Williams replaces Nikita Parris.

  • Substitution, Manchester United Women. Irene Guerrero replaces Ella Toone.

  • Foul by Gemma Evans (Manchester United Women).

  • Katie Robinson (Brighton and Hove Albion Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  • Corner, Brighton and Hove Albion Women. Conceded by Leah Galton.

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