In Focus: Prolific Terland can help Seagulls soar in WSL

Callum Rice-Coates
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Elisabeth Terland has five goals in five Women's Super League games this season
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Elisabeth Terland is taking the Women's Super League by storm this season.

The Brighton striker, 22, scored her fifth goal of the campaign in last weekend's 2-2 draw with Manchester United to continue a prolific start to 2023-24.

With only Tottenham ace Martha Thomas ahead in the scoring charts, the Norway international will have her eye on this season's Golden Boot award.

As the Seagulls prepare for today's clash at Manchester City, we take a look at Terland's superb performances.

Purple patch

West Ham are the only team to stop Terland from scoring in the WSL so far this season.

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She netted a brace on the opening day as Brighton beat Everton 2-1, followed by strikes against Tottenham, champions Chelsea and United.

Terland has proven she can make an impact against some of the division's top teams — and the fact Brighton have struggled to create chances only makes her form even more impressive.

The Seagulls have netted just seven goals in total from an xG of 5.6, with Terland bagging 71% of them.

Her sublime finishing ability was on show against the Red Devils as she opened the scoring with a sharp, instinctive effort from close range.

Ruthlessness in front of goal has been a recurring theme for Terland and that bodes well for Brighton, who only narrowly avoided relegation from the WSL last term.

Elisabeth Terland has been Brighton's key player this season

Team player

Terland is now into her second season at Brighton after joining the club from Norwegian side Brann in August 2022.

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She is already on course to surpass the goal tally of seven in 17 appearances from her debut campaign.

Whether her current form is sustainable remains to be seen, though.

Terland has scored her five goals from just eight shots on target and has significantly outperformed her xG of 2.5.

But even if her output declines, the No11 is still an important player in Brighton's system.

Under Melissa Phillips' management, Terland is tasked with defending from the front and she has made three tackles in the attacking third of the pitch.

With Brighton often the underdogs in the WSL, their forward's work-rate and selflessness out of possession is just as important as her goals.

Great expectations

Elisabeth Terland was a reserve player for Norway's 2023 World Cup squad

Terland's potential was recognised last season, with former Brighton boss Hope Powell singling out the Seagulls poacher.

She said: "Terland has got a big future in the game. She's very ambitious, wants to be a top striker for club and country and is prepared to put in the work.

"She reflects quite deeply on her game for a young player because she really wants to do well and improve.

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"She wants to do more to get better, we just have to manage what 'more' looks like but she's a really good kid and a great addition to our team."

The future certainly looks bright for one of the WSL's most exciting prospects ahead of another tough test at City.

Tags

Women's Super LeagueBrighton & Hove Albion Women

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