Skinner still positive as Man Utd slip-up in title race with Russo off target
Man Utd slipped up to allow Chelsea to move top of the table in the WSL after a 0-0 stalemate with Everton.
The hosts were top on goal difference at the start of the day but were guilty of missing chances against a resilient Toffees side which, coupled with Chelsea's win at Tottenham, left than two points adrift of the WSL holders. Alessia Russo started for the first time since she was the subject of interest from title rivals Arsenal on transfer deadline day, but was unable to find the breakthrough.
Despite the slip-up manager Marc Skinner said there will still plenty of positives for his team to take and that there will be more twists to come throughout the season. The United boss also had no issues with Russo's performance and says the England forward is fully focused ahead of the remainder of the campaign.
"Less (Russo) did well," said Skinner. "She held the ball up well at times, and led the line well.
"She could be cleaner with some of her opportunities and finish. But she was getting in the positions to finish which shows the quality she has.
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"Less is in good mood and good spirits, she is focused. We had a good chat the other day, but it was an easy chat, she knows exactly what we want to achieve here and she is a huge part of that.
Skinner remained positive despite the 0-0 draw with Everton (Simon Davies/ProSports/REX/Shutterstock)"There we no signs whatsoever of her being distracted, none whatsoever."
Russo's contract is still up in the summer and United will have to renegotiate her deal to prevent the 23-year-old leaving on a free transfer. Skinner added that despite leaving the door open for Chelsea to move back into top spot, he was still pleased with the performance and that his team shouldn't be written off from the title picture.
"There will be other results this season, trust me that will fluctuate" (the table) Skinner added. "For us it doesn't matter, we'll just focus and show our qualities.
"We're good. That is the beauty of this team is that even if we didn't score, this team would be self-critical. We played well today and barring the result and some of the finishes, we'll take some really good positives from today
"We were just a goal away from showing our quality today. We are right up challenging with the best sides in the country.
"Today we were after it and it was a hungry performance. Everton are a high energy team, but if you speak to their forwards as they come off the field, they said we have just chased for ninety minutes without touching the ball."
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