Manchester United 1-0 Valerenga - Red Devils win first UEFA Women's Champions League league phase match thanks to first-half Le Tissier penalty

Maya Le Tissier's first-half penalty was enough to secure victory for Manchester United over Valerenga in their inaugural league phase UEFA Women's Champions League match.

United dominated the match throughout and, though mostly happy to begin the campaign with victory, may feel they should have won by a greater margin.

Valerenga had the first good chance, and their only one of the match, midway through the first half when Karina Saevik played in Olaug Tvedten, but her effort was easily saved by Phallon Tullis-Joyce. This sparked United into life and shortly afterwards, Melvine Malard robbed Sara Horte in the Valerenga box before launching an effort which visiting keeper Tove Enblom stopped.

The penalty award was a little fortunate as Julia Zigiotti flicked the ball into the area, striking Arna Eiriksdottir's arm, which, although a little away from her body, was barely a yard from where the ball was kicked.

Le Tissier calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot to give the hosts the lead, which should have been added to in the second half, with Jessica Park and Elisabeth Terland both failing to score when through on goal.

United's next game in the Champions League is away at Atletico Madrid on Thursday, October 16.

The win is all that counts as United begin their campaign with three points.

Naalsund plays the ball to Rolfo who puts in a low cross but Kovacs gets there to clear just in front of Malard.

But it was too close to the goalkeeper and Tullis-Joyce gathers.

They are replaced by George and Awujo.

But can only send the ball behind the goal.

She is played in down the inside left channel and shoots just wide of Tullis-Joyce's post.

Eiriksdottir and Saevik are replaced. Pettersen and Thorsnes come on.

And once more the effort flies over the bar.

A rare ball into the box from the visitors but Tullis-Joyce was sharply off her line to gather.

But her effort flies high over the bar.

She gets to the by-line and clips a cross to the back post but no team-mates were there to attack the ball.

Toone played the ball through to her in the right hand side of the penalty area but dragged her effort just wide of the target.

And she fires a shot with her left foot, but Horte slides across to block the shot.

She takes a ball from Park and spins Kovacs, but the Valerenga defender recovers well to force her away from goal.

Valerenga are offering so little and United are not showing the quality at present to make their total advantage pay.

And inswinger with her left foot, but Kovacs got to the ball in front of Malard.