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DREAM GIRLS

Manchester United Women defeat West Ham 2-0 in historic victory in their first ever game at Old Trafford

MANCHESTER UNITED WOMEN beat West Ham 2-0 in a historic win in their first-ever game at Old Trafford.

Goals from Lauren James and Christian Press in the second half saw United sail to victory against the Hammers at the Theatre of Dreams.

United saw off a resilient West Ham in their first ever game at Old Trafford
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United saw off a resilient West Ham in their first ever game at Old TraffordCredit: Reuters
It was a winning start for Manchester United Women at Old Trafford
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It was a winning start for Manchester United Women at Old TraffordCredit: Reuters

But despite United's epic win at the legendary stadium, boss Casey Stoney was critical of her team's performance and called it "disappointing."

Speaking after the game, she said: "Good second half, not so good first half if I'm honest.

"I've come away from it disappointed with us really in terms of an exhibition.

"If there was a crowd in here, they would've been disappointed in the first half so just as well there wasn't.

"Second half they would've been really pleased with the team and the response.

"So we've done it now, we've played at Old Trafford, for me it's about next time and doing it with a crowd, and making sure that we're better."

Defeat for the Hammers meant they stay at the bottom of the table with their WSL safety slipping through their fingers.

Despite their loss at Old Trafford, boss Olli Harder took some positives from their performance and thinks they can still remain in the league.

He said: "The application today was fantastic and we said it's okay to be disappointed and it's okay to be upset.

"But what's not okay is for us to give up this fight moving forward, we've got some important games coming up so we must continue."

Stoney was underwhelmed with her team's performance at the Theatre of Dreams and labelled it disappointing
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Stoney was underwhelmed with her team's performance at the Theatre of Dreams and labelled it disappointingCredit: PA

United took the lead in the game after a sluggish start through James - sister of Chelsea star Reece James - who headed in a corner in the 49th minute.

Press put the game to bed shortly after when she latched out to a defence splitting pass from Jackie Groenen to smash her strike past a helpless Courtney Brosnan in the 54 minute.

And the Hammers misery was complete when Laura Fetterleine sent for a foul on Kirsty Hanson in the 76 minute.

Harder remained upbeat after the Hammers defeat and reckons they can still stay in the WSL
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Harder remained upbeat after the Hammers defeat and reckons they can still stay in the WSLCredit: PA
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