Manchester United in WSL title mix after halting Arsenal's record run

Arsenal 2 Manchester United 3

With the benefit of hindsight, Manchester United's dramatic comeback at the Emirates Stadium may be seen as the moment they finally proved themselves true contenders for the Women's Super League title.

The victory ended Arsenal's record-breaking 14-win league streak, shattering their air of invincibility. Perhaps even more importantly, it marked United's first ever away win at one of Arsenal, Chelsea or Man City in the WSL.

Fittingly, in overcoming that psychological hurdle, United dragged themselves back level on points with Chelsea and Arsenal at the top of the table after seven games each. United manager Marc Skinner said it was a "huge" milestone to end their away curse against the so-called big three, and praised his team for showing the club's trademark never-say-die attitude.

"It’s huge in the sense of the experience," he said. "It’s three points, let’s be very clear. I’m not blowing it up that way. But tonight we decided we did not want to leave this game without showing that bravery.

"When I look at a Manchester United team, on the men’s side it’s about that never give up attitude. Tonight we got a full Manchester United [performance]. It made me, for a moment, lose where I was - and that’s what football should be."

When goals from Frida Maanum and Laura Wienroither helped Arsenal overturn Ella Toone's first-half goal, it looked like United were going to come up short again - as they had against Chelsea earlier this month, in a 3-1 loss which ended their 100 per cent start to the season.

But Millie Turner's 85th-minute header and Alessia Russo's stoppage-time winner - both assisted by captain Katie Zelem - sent the 1,500 travelling United fans into a frenzy, and the rest of the 40,063 at the Emirates stunned.

Asked whether he thought it was a significant juncture in their season, Skinner was more cautious, but the pitch told a different story. Both sides tussled fervently for the vital points during the fiery 90 minutes, with 20 fouls committed between them and even a booking for Skinner on the touchline.

United's fight won out. Arsenal's Jonas Eidevall said he could "not accept" conceding goals from two uncontested headers. He was also disappointed with their drab first-half, where United were faster, stronger and better organised.

In the end, this could well be a result that benefits Emma Hayes's Chelsea the most, ahead of her return to the dugout at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. A win against Tottenham Hotspur will put them in front in this title race, a position where Chelsea thrive.

Meanwhile Arsenal are depleted, with a long injury list that may now include Beth Mead, who worryingly hobbled off in tears in the closing stages of this loss. How they manage this injury-beleaguered period could define their season.

But on Saturday night, it was all about United, who at last showed their mettle in the big leagues.

Match details

Arsenal (4-3-3): Zinsberger; Wienroither, Mubben-Woy, Catley, McCabe; Walti, Nobbs (Miedema 59), Maanum; Mead, Foord (Beattie 90), Blackstenius.
Subs: Marckese, Beattie, Maritz, Reid, Iwabuchi, Earl, Agyemang.
Bookings: McCabe
Goals: Maanum (46), Wienroither (73)

Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Earps; Batlle, Le Tissier, Turner, Blundell; Ladd, Zelem; Parris (Thomas 80), Toone, Galton; Russo.
Subs: Baggaley, Thorisdottir, Tounkara, Boe Risa, Moore, Staniforth, L. Garcia, Williams.
Bookings: Parris, Marc Skinner, Ladd
Goals: Toone (39), Turner (85), Russo (90+1)

Referee: Kirsty Dowle