Brighton 0-4 Manchester United: Leaders maintain title charge

Leah Galton could not keep the smile off her face after her double at Brighton helped Manchester United maintain their Women's Super League title charge.

Galton, 28, broke the deadlock in the 12th minute before netting again in the second half as Marc Skinner's side recorded a comfortable 4-0 victory.

With the match as good as won thanks to the forward's brace, subs Rachel Williams and Lucia Garcia scored late on.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Galton beamed: "If I'm playing and smiling, I'm enjoying myself. I'll [always] play at my best when I'm happy.

"If we get an early goal, we settle down. We start to play football then. 

"It was nice to get on the end of that first one. I didn't know what I was going to do with the second goal because [Lydia] Williams is quite a big goalkeeper and it was a tight angle, but in the end I managed to sneak it in."

With title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City colliding on Sunday before champions Chelsea head to Aston Villa, Galton was happy to get the points wrapped up. 

But she is not taking anything for granted as United chase their first WSL title.

The Red Devils ace added: "It's nice to look and see we're top of the table but I'm not hyping it too much because you never know what's going to happen. 

"It's game by game. I know that's boring to say but you never know. 

"I'll be sitting back and watching the rest of the games and enjoying it. We put in a good performance so we can rest up."

The visitors struck first when a looping corner from Katie Zelem was met by Galton, who nodded past Williams. 

Brighton looked to get back on level terms and a strong header from Emma Kullberg flew over the bar before United had a great chance to double their lead.

Skipper Zelem's in-swinging free-kick found Vilde Boe Risa but the midfielder's header was saved by Williams. 

The Seagulls came close after the break through Veatriki Sarri, only to suffer a hammer blow when Galton fired home from a narrow angle in the 66th minute. 

Skinner's side sealed the victory late on as another set-piece saw Williams head home in the 86th minute and Garcia added the fourth moments later with a neat finish into the bottom corner.

Brighton, nervously looking over their shoulders as they bid to beat the drop, will get an immediate chance for revenge when they tackle United in the FA Cup semi-finals next Saturday.