Bethany England (right) started for Spurs in her first appearance since playing for England in the World Cup final
Manchester United kept pace in the Women's Super League title race with a comfortable victory at Tottenham Hotspur.
Melvine Malard starred, scoring twice and assisting Ella Toone for her side's second goal, while Hayley Ladd added a late fourth.
United's win keeps them four points behind leaders Chelsea and a point and place off the Champions League places.
Spurs are sixth and now winless in five league games.
United broke through shortly before the half-hour mark when miscommunication between Spurs keeper Becky Spencer and her defence allowed a deep Hannah Blundell cross to bounce between them and Malard got a toe to the ball to steer it home.
Toone then raced on to Malard's lofted ball and finished past Spencer early in the second half, before United's French number nine curled home a first-time shot from the edge of the box.
Ladd rounded off the scoring with six minutes left - a smart finish from 18 yards past the wrong-footed Spencer for the 11th goal Spurs have conceded in their last two matches.
A sole source of comfort in their first home league defeat of the season was the return of striker Bethany England. Spurs' England international played 55 minutes in her first game of the season following hip surgery.
- Relive coverage of Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United, plus reaction to Sunday's other Women's Super League games
United maintain fine away form to match Arsenal and City
With Arsenal's statement win over Chelsea earlier on Sunday and Manchester City finding form - including a 7-0 thrashing of Spurs before the international break - United needed victory here to stay in touch with the top three, let alone keep their WSL title dreams alive.
It was the perfect time for Malard, signed in the summer from Lyon to replace Arsenal-bound Alessia Russo, to produce her most fruitful display in English football so far.
She was one of two players to come into the starting XI as changes from the victory at Bristol City before the international break, replacing Geyse.
While Geyse has greater pace and trickery, Malard produced a fine all-round striker's display - a poacher's instinct for the opener, creativity from deep for the second goal and composure for the third.
It has been an inconsistent campaign for Marc Skinner's side, but their away form - 13 points and the joint most in the division alongside Arsenal - has maintained their hopes of a maiden WSL trophy.
Spurs struggle despite England return
For Spurs, forward England's fitness is essential. She scored 12 goals in as many WSL matches last season after joining from Chelsea in January to help them move away from relegation danger.
England almost scored seven minutes into her return. Martha Thomas' low shot was well saved by Mary Earps, and England stabbed in the rebound only to see it blocked on the line by Maya le Tissier.
But while they may have their main woman back up front, the form of Thomas is now a concern for manager Robert Vilahamn.
After six goals in her first four WSL matches, the Scot has not netted in the last five since a hat-trick against Aston Villa.
Vilahamn also has problems to solve in defence, with Spurs' run without a WSL clean sheet now extending to 15 games.
- Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
Line-upsTottenham Women
Formation 4-4-2
22Spencer29Neville4Turner5Bartrip3Zadorsky14Bizet Ildhusøy12Percival15James7Naz17Thomas9England
- 22Spencer29Neville4Turner5Bartrip3Zadorsky14Bizet IldhusøySubstituted forPetzelbergerat 80'minutes12Percival15James7NazBooked at 49minsSubstituted forAyaneat 56'minutes17ThomasSubstituted forZhangat 80'minutes9EnglandSubstituted forGrahamat 56'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Votíková11Petzelberger13Ale16Graham18Zhang21Bühler23Ayane26Pearse47Boughton
Man Utd Women
Formation 4-2-3-1
27Earps14Riviere4Le Tissier21Turner6Blundell10Zelem12Ladd22Parris7Toone11Galton9Malard
- 27Earps14Riviere4Le Tissier21TurnerSubstituted forEvansat 87'minutes6Blundell10Zelem12Ladd22ParrisSubstituted forGarcíaat 67'minutes7TooneSubstituted forNaalsundat 87'minutes11GaltonSubstituted forWilliamsat 82'minutes9MalardSubstituted forda Silva Ferreiraat 67'minutes
Substitutes
- 15Evans16Naalsund17García23da Silva Ferreira28Williams39Middleton-Patel91Tullis-Joyce
Referee:Kirsty DowleMatch StatsHome TeamTottenham WomenAway TeamMan Utd WomenPossessionHome35%Away65%ShotsHome9Away10Shots on TargetHome6Away5CornersHome2Away3FoulsHome11Away6Live Text Post update
Match ends, Tottenham Hotspur Women 0, Manchester United Women 4.
90'+6'Full Time
Second Half ends, Tottenham Hotspur Women 0, Manchester United Women 4.
90'Post update
Attempt saved. Katie Zelem (Manchester United Women) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Rachel Williams.
87'Substitution
Substitution, Manchester United Women. Gemma Evans replaces Millie Turner.
87'Substitution
Substitution, Manchester United Women. Lisa Naalsund replaces Ella Toone.
85'Post update
Geyse Ferreira (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.
85'Post update
Foul by Shelina Zadorsky (Tottenham Hotspur Women).
84'goalGoal!
Goal! Tottenham Hotspur Women 0, Manchester United Women 4. Hayley Ladd (Manchester United Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Lucía García.
82'Substitution
Substitution, Manchester United Women. Rachel Williams replaces Leah Galton.
81'Post update
Attempt missed. Angharad James (Tottenham Hotspur Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left following a corner.
81'Post update
Corner, Tottenham Hotspur Women. Conceded by Millie Turner.
80'Substitution
Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur Women. Zhang Linyan replaces Martha Thomas.
80'Substitution
Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur Women. Ramona Petzelberger replaces Celin Bizet Ildhusøy.
79'Post update
Foul by Leah Galton (Manchester United Women).
79'Post update
Rosella Ayane (Tottenham Hotspur Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
78'Post update
Ella Toone (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
78'Post update
Foul by Ashleigh Neville (Tottenham Hotspur Women).
77'Post update
Attempt missed. Geyse Ferreira (Manchester United Women) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Jayde Riviere.
75'Post update
Offside, Manchester United Women. Ella Toone is caught offside.
73'Post update
Attempt saved. Celin Bizet Ildhusøy (Tottenham Hotspur Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Kit Graham.
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Source: bbc.com