Nikita Parris denies former club Manchester United with Brighton equaliser

Nikita Parris’ header ended her old club Manchester United’s 100 per cent start to the Women’s Super League season as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton at the Amex Stadium.

Marc Skinner’s side took the lead through Grace Clinton’s third goal of the campaign in the 10th minute, and the England midfielder was within inches of scoring again four minutes later when she struck the bar.

Brighton subsequently hit back seven minutes into the second half as Parris, who was United’s top-scorer last term before moving on to the Seagulls on transfer deadline day, nodded beyond Phallon Tullis-Joyce.

It was the first time the goalkeeper had been beaten this season, having kept clean sheets in each of the three wins with which the Red Devils had begun the season.

Opposite number Sophie Baggaley, another former United player, made some good saves, including late on to deny Elisabeth Terland, who moved the other way in the summer.

A point apiece sees United and Brighton go first and second in the table respectively, on the same amount as Manchester City, who play Aston Villa at home on Sunday, and one ahead of champions Chelsea, hosts to Tottenham later that day.

A bright start from United included Hinata Miyazawa bringing a sixth-minute save out of Baggaley before Clinton slotted them in front, getting on the end of Celin Bizet’s whipped delivery from the right.

The visitors’ pressure continued with Terland having a shot saved, and Clinton then going close to adding her second as her strike came off the underside of the bar, Miyazawa being thwarted by Baggaley on the follow-up.

Brighton struggled to fashion much in response until the final moments of the first half when Madison Haley, who had just come on for the injured Pauline Bremer, met Fran Kirby’s cutback with a shot that Tullis-Joyce did well to tip behind.

Then, shortly after the break, Dario Vidosic’s side were level as Maisie Symonds fired the ball into the danger zone and Parris headed into the net.

As United sought to regain the lead, Clinton again provided the threat with just over 10 minutes of normal time to go as her corner was palmed away by Baggaley, who then dealt with a strike from distance by Ella Toone.

Tullis-Joyce was subsequently called into action to keep out a Kirby attempt, before Baggaley frustrated United once more in the final few minutes, getting down to save Terland’s shot.