Galton and Zelem savour superb victory

Sunday 16 January 2022 14:30

Manchester United’s Leah Galton and Katie Zelem reflected on a positive start to 2022 for the Reds following Saturday's 5-0 victory over Birmingham City.

After Zelem had opened the scoring in the WSL clash, Galton netted twice in quick succession before an Emily Ramsey own goal on the stroke of half-time saw us take a 4-0 lead in at the break. 

Alessia Russo completed the scoring after the interval to cap off a winning start to the new calendar year for Marc Skinner’s side.

Catching up with MUTV after the match, Galton expressed her delight with the result and particularly the first-half performance, but says the Reds wanted more from their showing in the second period.
 
Galton's post-Birmingham verdict Video

Galton's post-Birmingham verdict

Saturday's brace scorer discusses the team's performance, her two goals and our desire to keep the momentum building...

“I thought it was good,” the winger said speaking to Steve Bennett. 

“I thought the second half could have been better, but we did enough in the first half I think. We needed to raise our standards again, so we’ll look at that ahead of the Arsenal game.

“We need to look at turnovers, I think that’s what killed us, transition. I think if we’re better in those areas, then it’s an all-round performance, but I thought the girls did really well in the first half today,” our no.11 added.

“Definitely the clean sheet [is a positive]. Our defenders did well today, Mary [Earps] did well in goal. Obviously, she wasn’t particularly busy, but she has to keep switched on the whole game.

“Just to get a clean sheet and score five goals, it’s a nice feeling. A happy Saturday!”
Shortly after teeing up Zelem to open the scoring on 12 minutes, Galton netted two determined finishes in the space of three first-half minutes to really put United in the ascendency. 

The goals were Leah’s third and fourth in the league this season, and she’s now determined to keep building on those contributions in the weeks ahead.

“I had just a bit of relief [to get on the scoresheet]. It’s not obviously all about scoring the goals and assisting but when you’re a forward and you need them, it’s nice just to get one in the back of the net so I’ll take two any day.

“I am [delighted]. I can take that and move forward to next week, keep going with it, keep providing for the girls and the team and see where it takes me.”
Highlights: United Women 5 Birmingham City 0 Video

Highlights: United Women 5 Birmingham City 0

United Women started 2022 with a five-star display against the Blues, in the WSL...

Captain Katie had praise for the winger’s role in her own goal that got things up and running at Leigh Sports Village.

“It was some great play down the left-hand side and a great pull back from Leah,” the skipper told MUTV post-match.

“I didn’t realise at the time but Less [Alessia Russo] actually left it for me to put in so it was a great goal.

“I think [it’s important to get off the mark] not just myself but as a team, we’ve said we would like the second-half performance to be better, but we’ve come away with a 5-0 win.

“If you would have said that to us at the start of the game, we wouldn’t have had any complaints, so for us, it’s a great start to the year.”
Zelem: A great start to the year Video

Zelem: A great start to the year

"The most important thing is putting points on the board," says the skipper, after our 5-0 win over Birmingham...

Zelem also echoed the Reds’ desire to keep the momentum building within the side, with the Birmingham win our fourth straight win and clean sheet. 

It was arguably the perfect way to start a big week for the team, with a Continental Tyres League Cup semi-final at Arsenal to come on Wednesday before a third versus fourth clash in the WSL next weekend, when Tottenham are the visitors to LSV. 

“We just want to take every game as it comes. We’ve got three games this week and what a way to start the games. 

“Arsenal is a big game on Wednesday and then a really big game against Spurs, we’re close to each other [in the league], third and fourth position, so it will be some important points [up for grabs].”

Tickets for United’s WSL meeting with Tottenham Hotspur at Leigh Sports Village are available to buy now. 

 

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