Manchester United produced a breathtaking late comeback to rescue a point against Tottenham Hotspur as the final Women’s Super League match of 2025 ended in a dramatic 3-3 draw at Progress with Unity Stadium.
Trailing 3-0 just after the hour mark and staring at what looked like a damaging home defeat, Marc Skinner’s side somehow clawed their way back in an extraordinary finale, with Fridolina Rolfö’s stoppage-time equaliser sparking wild celebrations among the home supporters.
For much of the contest, however, it was Tottenham who looked set to make history. Spurs arrived in Manchester chasing their first ever competitive victory over United and played with confidence, composure and ruthless efficiency in the first half.
Bethany England opened the scoring on 36 minutes, rising highest to power home a header and punish a familiar weakness in the United defence. Deep into first-half stoppage time, Eveliina Summanen doubled the lead with another header, again from a well-worked delivery, leaving the hosts stunned at the break.
United’s frustration was compounded by their own wastefulness. They dominated possession and chances in the opening period, striking the crossbar three times and seeing multiple efforts cleared off the line, but went into half-time two goals down.
The second half initially followed the same pattern. United pressed and probed, Spurs defended resolutely and waited for their moment. That moment arrived in the 61st minute when former United striker Martha Thomas raced through on goal and smashed a finish into the roof of the net to make it 3-0, seemingly sealing a famous away win.
At that stage, Spurs appeared in full control. But the game turned suddenly and spectacularly.
Ella Toone gave United a lifeline in the 74th minute, reacting quickest to hook a volley past Spurs goalkeeper Lize Kop. The goal lifted the home crowd and injected belief into a side that had been on the brink of collapse.
Eight minutes later, United were right back in the contest. Rolfö bundled the ball over the line after sustained pressure in the box, reducing the deficit to a single goal and setting up a frantic finish.
What followed was a siege. United threw everything forward, peppering the Spurs goal with crosses and shots. The woodwork was struck again, and Kop looked increasingly nervy as Spurs clung on desperately.
In the fourth minute of added time, resistance finally broke. Leah Galton delivered a teasing cross to the far post, where Rolfö had drifted unmarked. The Swedish forward calmly turned the ball home for her second of the night, completing an astonishing comeback with United’s 34th attempt on goal.
The final whistle was met with a mixture of relief and disbelief. United had avoided defeat, but the manner of the performance raised as many questions as it answered.
Skinner’s side have now won just one of their last four league matches and continue to struggle defensively, failing to keep a clean sheet in seven games. Their attacking potential is obvious, but inefficiency and defensive fragility remain costly flaws. United head into the winter break fourth in the table, one point outside the Champions League places.
For Spurs, the draw was deeply painful. Leading 3-0 away from home and within touching distance of a landmark victory, Martin Ho’s side will rue their inability to manage the final stages. Yet there was still much to admire.
England, Summanen and Thomas were clinical, while teenage defender Toko Koga impressed with several crucial clearances off the line. This point also means Spurs have already surpassed their total points haul from last season, underlining the progress made under Ho.
While Spurs missed out on a statement win, United demonstrated resilience and belief that could yet define their campaign. On a chaotic afternoon filled with missed chances, defensive lapses and late drama, the Women’s Super League delivered a fitting end to the year — unpredictable, relentless and utterly compelling.
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