Nikita Parris Shines as Brighton Holds Manchester United to Draw in WSL Showdown

Manchester United’s perfect start in the Women’s Super League came to an end as former Red Devils striker Nikita Parris earned a draw for Brighton & Hove Albion.

United took an early lead at the Amex Stadium through Grace Clinton but were brought back down to earth early in the second half by Parris.

In the first half, United dominated play, applying relentless pressure that left Brighton struggling to respond. Hinata Miyazawa forced Brighton’s goalkeeper, Sophie Baggaley, into a fine save within the opening five minutes, and the pressure eventually paid off when Clinton finished off a precise cross from Celin Bizet with a clever near-post shot.

Baggaley made further crucial saves, denying both Elisabeth Terland and Miyazawa, while only the crossbar prevented Clinton from extending the lead with a curling shot from the edge of the area.

As halftime approached, Brighton began to find their footing and would have equalized if not for a stunning save by United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce, who denied Madison Haley from close range.

Brighton’s persistence was rewarded seven minutes into the second half when Parris, with a glancing header, redirected Maria Thorisdottir’s strike past Tullis-Joyce. Parris, who joined Brighton from United on transfer deadline day, became the first player to score against United this season.

The second half was more balanced, with both United’s Ella Toone and Brighton’s Fran Kirby testing the goalkeepers with long-range efforts. In the closing moments, United intensified their attack, but Baggaley managed to tip Terland’s volley around the post.

With the match ending in a draw in front of a record WSL crowd of 8,369 at the Amex, United sits at the top of the WSL table on goal difference, tied with Brighton and Manchester City at 10 points.

Parris had a personal stake in this match, having something to prove to her former club, where she struggled to secure a starting position during her two years. After failing to make an England squad since November 2022, she celebrated her goal with passion, clearly elated to level the match.

In the lead-up to the game, Parris expressed her desire to give Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman a selection “headache” ahead of next summer’s European Championship. With two goals and an assist in the WSL this season, her strong performance for Brighton suggests she’s well on her way to doing just that.