Parris hands Man. United win over PSV in Malta friendly

Manchester United     2

Riviere 32

Parris 90

PSV Eindhoven              1

Smits 22

Manchester United M. Earps, J. Riviere, H. Ladd, G. Evans, M. Turner, L. Galton, H. Deering, Geyse, R. Williams, I. Guerrero, M. Davies.

Subs used: O. Francis, L. Naalsund, H. Blundell, L. Garcia, N. Paris, E. Toone, T. Phallon.

PSV Eindhoven M. Pondes, G. Hendricks, M. Bross, J. Smits, I. Riley, L. Strik, M. Snellenberg, S. Dessing, C. Ripa, S. Martina, V. Buurman.

Subs used: S. Worm, A. Janssen, F. Stidt.

Referee Joanna Vassallo.

Yellow cards Snellenberg.

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Manchester United Women needed a last-gasp goal from Nikita Parris to overcome PSV Eindhoven in an entertaining friendly at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Friday.

The match turned out to be a great practice for both teams who are currently holding a short training camp in Malta.

PSV were the better side early on and took a deserved lead. But United grew in stature and after levelling matters, they dominated the second half before finally grabbing the winner through Parris.

It was PSV who came out faster out of the blocks and on 12 minutes United goalkeeper Mary Earps had to dive full stretch to push over Laura Strik’s cross shot.

From the resultant corner the United no.1 was again decisive when somehow kept out Gwyneth Hendriks’ effort from routine distance.

The Dutch side went even closer on 16 minutes when in a fast break, Joelle Smits’ shot beat Earps but came off the woodwork.

United’s response failed to arrive and it was PSV who took the lead on 22 minutes when Hendriks played through Smits and the Dutch forward beat Earps with a low drive.

United took time to settle down but they finally drew level on 32 minutes when a quick Geyse played Lisa Naalsund clear on the right and the United substitute sent a low cross into the path of Gemma Evans who was denied by goalkeeper Pondes but in came Jayde Riviere who fired home.

The English side came close to a second goal on 43 minutes when Geyse moved past two defenders before teeing up Naalsund who fired wide.

After the break, United manager Mark Skinner roped in all his big guns such as Lucia Garcia, Nikita Parris, Melvine Malard, and Ella Toone and the English side quickly seized the initiative.

In fact, five minutes into the second half, Toone came close but her effort finished just over.

Garcia was very active in the United attack and the Spaniard came close on 56 minutes with a firm drive that flashed wide.

PSV came close to restoring their lead on 74 minutes but Fleur Stidt’s shot just missed the upright.

At the other end, Toone played Malard inside the area but the French striker was denied by Pondes.

Three minutes from time, Nikita Parris came close when set up by Garcia but her low shot was blocked by the PSV goalkeeper.

When it looked like the match would end in a draw, Parris was found in space inside the area to head the ball home.