Manchester United record milestone victory at Arsenal to reach Conti Cup semi-finals | OneFootball

Manchester United boss Marc Skinner has recorded the most impressive win of his tenure so far with The Red Devils having defeated Arsenal 1-0 at Meadow Park this evening to reach the semi-finals of the FA Women’s Continental League Cup.

Alessia Russo’s late header ensured that United moved to within one win of a first domestic cup final appearance.

On paper, it was the tie of the round as the Barclays FA Women’s Super League leaders played host to the third-placed side for a place in the semi-finals of the FA Women’s Continental League Cup. United came into the match in a rich vein of form whilst their opponents had been stuttering slightly in recent weeks following their blistering start to the campaign.

Although neither keeper was overly troubled in the opening 45 minutes, both teams did have sights of goal. The first went the way of Arsenal when a low cross played along the United six-yard box was just beyond the reach of Vivianne Miedema who would’ve surely put her side ahead if she got anything on it.

There was an almost identical chance at the other end as Kirsty Hanson tried to slot one in from a narrow angle but her effort rolled across the face of goal with nobody there to put the ball away.

United had the chance to take the lead just before half-time as Katie Zelem whipped in a delicious corner kick onto the head of Maria Thorisdottir, however, the Norwegian international could only direct her close range effort over the Arsenal goal and the teams went in level at the break.

United started the second period strongly with a series of threatening corners curled into the area and they very nearly profited from it. Millie Turner got her head onto the ball and her looping header had Manuela Zinsberger worried as it struck the bar but the Arsenal keeper gratefully saw the ball bounce behind.

The game looked to be heading for a goalless 90 minutes but then up stepped Russo. A superbly floated free-kick from Zelem picked out the striker who made no mistake as she directed a header into the far corner.

Arsenal continued to push as they desperately looked for an equaliser, willed on by their ever-vocal supporters, however, they were kept quiet by a defiant United defence led by Aoife Mannion who put in a colossal performance at the back.

For United, it is now onward to the semi-finals with the draw taking place tomorrow. As for Arsenal, their poor run continues and their status at the top of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League table could now be threatened.