Brighton W vs Manchester United W Match Recap - Nov 2, 2025
In a thrilling encounter at Broadfield Stadium on November 2, Manchester United W edged out Brighton W with a dramatic 3-2 victory, further solidifying their place among the top teams in the FA Women's Super League. The match featured an array of goals and showcased Manchester's resilience as they overcame a determined Brighton side that fought until the very end.
As the teams took to the pitch, anticipation filled the air. Both squads had distinct trajectories leading up to this clash; Brighton was desperate for points after suffering three defeats in their last four league matches, while Manchester arrived in high spirits after a series of impressive performances. My earlier prediction may have been overly optimistic for Brighton's prospects-turns out, my hopefulness was misplaced as they struggled against United's formidable attack.
The first half was far from quiet, building into an electric crescendo just before halftime. With the score tied at 0-0, Elisabeth Terland broke the deadlock for Manchester United in the 45th minute, sending her side into the break with momentum and a one-goal cushion. It felt like both teams were settling into their rhythms, but Terland's goal shifted the dynamic dramatically.
The second half opened with energy, and it quickly became clear that neither team would back down. In the 59th minute, Jessica Park extended United's lead to 2-0 with another well-executed goal. The optimism was palpable among United fans who could smell victory. However, Brighton had other plans. Just ten minutes later, they clawed one back in the 69th minute through an undisclosed player-a moment that sent ripples of excitement through home supporters.
With momentum shifting towards Brighton, tension mounted as both sides began trading punches reminiscent of a heavyweight boxing match. Lisa Naalsund, however, had something to say about that. She restored Manchester's two-goal advantage late in the game by scoring in the 89th minute, putting her team ahead once again at 3-1 and seemingly sealing the result.
But football is notorious for its last-minute drama. As if scripted from a fairytale plot twist, Brighton responded with yet another goal deep into stoppage time-this time from an unknown player-as they made it 3-2 before time expired. It wasn't enough to earn them a point but showcased their fighting spirit even when hope seemed dwindling.
This result leaves Manchester United W firmly planted in third place with 14 points from seven matches, maintaining an unbeaten streak that will strengthen their title aspirations moving forward. On the flip side, Brighton W finds themselves languishing in seventh place with only seven points from six games-a precarious position illustrating their struggles this season.
As both teams look ahead to their next fixtures-Brighton traveling to Liverpool and United facing Aston Villa-there's much at stake for both sides. For Brighton, every point is crucial as they attempt to escape relegation territory while also aiming for some semblance of consistent form following recent disappointments. Meanwhile, Manchester will seek to build upon this success and extend their positive run as they chase league leaders.
While I may have misread Brighton's chances heading into this contest-even with signs of hope highlighted in previous articles-the game beautifully illustrated not only skill on display but also fierce determination imbued within women's football today. Each team's journey continues; who knows what surprises await us next week? Football remains delightfully unpredictable-a reminder that success often hangs by a thread until that final whistle blows.
Game Thread
Join the Discussion
Inform the permanent record.