Man United Women score seven as cup defence starts

Manchester United Women 7 - 0 West Brom Women

Substitute Rachel Williams inspired Manchester United to a dominant 7-0 win over step-three side West Brom, securing a spot in the fifth round of the Women’s FA Cup with a stunning hat-trick.

Author - Sophie T 

Melvine Malard broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute at Leigh Sports Village, giving the Women’s Super League fourth-placed side a slim half-time lead. The goals flowed after the break, with Williams, who came on for Malard just before the hour, scoring twice from Anna Sandberg crosses in the 77th and 79th minutes.

Ella Toone made her return from a calf injury and added a fourth with a brilliant strike off the crossbar, before Celin Bizet extended the lead in the 89th minute. Williams completed her hat-trick in stoppage time, and Bizet claimed her second in the dying moments.

This was the only Women’s FA Cup game to go ahead as adverse weather caused multiple postponements, including Durham’s clash with Brighton.

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United were ruthless

West Brom may feel hard done by the final scoreline after holding Manchester United to a single-goal lead until the 77th minute.

Malard's clever knee finish in the 23rd minute gave United a deserved lead, but despite their creativity, the hosts struggled to find a way past a resolute Baggies defence for much of the match. West Brom remained solid at the back but failed to threaten United, ending the game without a shot on target.

It was manager Marc Skinner’s second-half substitutions that ignited United’s attack. The introductions of Ella Toone, Rachel Williams, and Celin Bizet brought a ruthless edge that had been missing earlier.

Williams scored two powerful headers in the 77th and 79th minutes, before Toone added a stunning fourth. Bizet capitalised on a high press in the 89th minute, slotting in United’s fifth.

Williams completed her hat-trick in stoppage time with a close-range header, and Bizet sealed the rout with her second goal, as United netted six times in just 18 devastating minutes.