Skinner reviews defeat to Chelsea

Sunday 12 March 2023 18:36

Manchester United Women head coach Marc Skinner has reflected on his side's narrow 1-0 away defeat against Chelsea at Kingsmeadow.

Sam Kerr's 23rd-minute finish proved to be the difference between the two teams, as the Blues leapfrogged United, jumping to the top of the WSL table in the process.

In what was a tightly contested encounter in the capital, the Reds had two shouts for a penalty which were both turned down, with Skinner dissecting those key decisions, among the big talking points, following the full-time whistle.

Skinner: We will use the energy from today Video

Skinner: We will use the energy from today

Despite suffering a narrow defeat against Chelsea, Marc Skinner is already looking ahead to United Women's next test...

''[We were the] better team, in lots of parameters of the game,'' began Marc, as he spoke to MUTV at full-time.

''We switch off on one break through, they get through [to score] and also there are two decisions in the game that should be penalties for us.

''Those are the big factors in games like this. If you get those, you potentially win the game. It's just [proved to be] the difference in this [game].''

Forward Nikita Parris and defender Ona Batlle were both denied their own claims for a spot-kick across the 90 minutes, with Emma Hayes's side holding onto a slender one-goal lead to claim victory.

Looking forward to our Vitality Women's FA Cup quarter-final against Lewes next week, Skinner hopes the Reds can use today's defeat as motivation to make an immediate response.

Chelsea 1 United Women 0

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Marc Skinner's side were edged out in a cagey affair at Kingsmeadow.

''Absolutely, we will go into the cup game full throttle and we will use the energy from the defeat in today's game to really go into the game next week and give it full focus,'' he added.

''We switch tact now and go into the cup, but we will back in the league [soon] and ready to win for sure."

Marc also reserved some appreciation for our supporters that travelled down to Chelsea, and is certain that they will give the team a boost off the back of this defeat, in the coming weeks.

Coming up after next weekend's trip to Lewes is our return to WSL action against West Ham at Old Trafford on the following Saturday, a fixture he believes the United faithful can have a real impact in, as we continue our fight at the top end of the league.

''Look at our fans, our fans always come out in great numbers.

''I think that has helped the attendance here today and it's a full, tight, compact ground, but you could hear our fans all the way and throughout.

''Once we get them at Old Trafford and given their voices, you will see a real energy again from our team. They will always give our team energy.''

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