Elisabeth Terland bagged a brace as Manchester United claimed a sixth straight Women’s Super League win with a 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace.

Norwegian striker Terland took her tally for the season to seven before Grace Clinton confirmed three points for the Red Devils with a brave header.

Bottom-of-the-table Palace had their moments in a hard-fought contest at Leigh Sports Village and Mille Gejl levelled matters with a composed finish.

United cut the gap to Chelsea to four points before the unbeaten leaders kicked off at home to Everton.

Palace gifted United a ninth-minute lead as Milla-Maj Majasaari sent a poor goal-kick straight to Clinton.

The United forward fed Hinata Miyazawa and Terland turned on her pass to find the bottom corner of the net with an accomplished finish.

Terland might have had a hat-trick by the 15-minute mark, forcing Majasaari into a save before latching on to Ella Toone’s cross and striking the post from eight yards.

Clinton was unable to profit from Leah Galton’s cross as United produced some scintillating one-touch football.

Majasaari was given the benefit of the doubt after crashing into the back of Terland in the act of punching clear and no penalty was awarded.

Palace, with only one league win all season, had been boosted by an FA Cup win over Newcastle.

The Eagles’ raised confidence levels were reflected by a willingness to break forward in numbers, especially down the flanks where United were exposed several times.

Gejl failed to find the target from My Cato’s cross with the hosts relieved to see the ball drift wide, but the Danish midfielder made no mistake after 38 minutes.

Ashleigh Weerden held the ball up well and Lily Woodham played a super pass down the left for Gejl to take a touch and beat Phallon Tullis-Joyce at the near post.

Palace escaped when Majasaari spilled a second-half cross at the feet of Galton.

The Finnish goalkeeper reacted well to save from Galton and Allyson Swaby cleared Toone’s follow-up effort off the line.

Terland raced onto Clinton’s pass after 64 minutes to restore United’s lead, rounding Majasaari and beating Swaby’s attempt to clear.

United wrapped up their 10th victory from 14 league games five minutes from time.

Clinton got her head on Toone’s excellent free-kick and the ball looped in to condemn the Eagles to another fruitless afternoon.