Man Utd 2-0 Brighton: Nikita Parris nets twice as Brighton interim boss loses first game

Mikey Harris suffered defeat in his first match as Brighton interim boss as Nikita Parris scored twice again for Manchester United.

The England forward has been in electric form this season, netting eight goals in the WSL and leading United’s goalscoring charts.

Her clinical finishing was enough to give United a second successive home victory, keeping them within reach of the league’s top three.

Brighton remain 10th in the table following their eighth defeat of the season, which came three days after manager Melissa Phillips was surprisingly sacked after nine months in charge.

Promise for Harris as Parris provides the goods

It’s been a testing week for Brighton following Phillips’ sacking and interim boss Harris, who comes over from the men’s academy, admitted on Friday he had yet to meet all of his staff.

He would have been pleased with the first-half performance, all things considered, as Brighton moved the ball around nicely and limited United to just one shot on target – Parris’ goal.

But they lacked an edge up front, their only threat provided by Elisabeth Terland’s two instinctive strikes, both saved by England goalkeeper Mary Earps.

United, meanwhile, had spells of pressure but relied heavily on the skill and pace of Geyse down the right-hand side. The Brazilian was a standout performer throughout and set up Parris for the opener within nine minutes.

She was hugged by Parris as they celebrated and Geyse went down the tunnel at half-time grinning.

Brighton full-back Poppy Pattinson showed her frustrations in the second half with a few fouls on Geyse and was booed by the home fans for the remainder of the match.

But it was not enough to stop Geyse having an impact as she again carried the ball down the right before teeing up Parris for her second, just as Brighton had started to enjoy a spell of possession inside United’s half.

Parris’ performances this season have been a huge positive for manager Marc Skinner, who was still left wanting more from his side on occasions – but United deserved their victory.