Manchester United returned to the Women's Super League top three thanks to Dominique Janssen's 71st-minute free-kick against second-bottom West Ham at Leigh Sports Village.

After an excellent start to the season, United had lost their past two WSL games - and three out of four in all competitions.

It looked as if they would be in for another disappointing day when Shekiera Martinez caught out returning United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce with a magnificent overhead finish that looped into the top corner eight minutes into the second period - levelling Elisabeth Terland's first-half opener.

But after Julia Zigiotti had thudded a long-range effort against the post, Janssen stepped up to send a 20-yard free-kick into the corner, past Kinga Szemik, who had been outstanding in the West Ham goal.

While United struggled for fluency, the result should at least provide Marc Skinner's side with some confidence before a mouthwatering Champions League encounter with French heavyweights Lyon at this stadium on Wednesday.

Terland had put United ahead with her 10th goal of the season in all competitions. The effort owned much to the efforts of full-back Anna Sandberg, who ghosted past Ffion Morgan by the touchline before delivering the low cross that invited Terland's close-range finish.

Terland was a key figure in United's sensational start to the season, scoring eight goals in her first six games, including two hat-tricks, to help them progress into the main phase of the Champions League for the first time.

But, just as United's performances have become more stodgy, so Terland's goals have dried up.

Prior to Sunday's game, the Norwegian had scored once since 18 September and even lost her place in Skinner's starting line-up for last month's memorable victory against PSG.

With Lyon and Juventus still to face in the Champions League and Tottenham coming to Leigh twice before Christmas, in the WSL and for a League Cup quarter-final, a return to form for the 24-year-old would be significant.

She could have had more than one goal. But Szemik denied her with a couple of excellent first-half saves, while Terland also sent a header looping over.

Terland was the first to congratulate Sandberg for her part in the opener. But the delivery needed a striker's instinct to be in the right place to finish it off and Skinner will hope for more of that before the Christmas break.

West Ham's day started with their coach getting a flat tyre, which delayed the kick-off by 15 minutes. But despite defeat on a grey, wet afternoon in the north-west of England, there were positives for the visitors.

In Szemik, they had one of the best players on the pitch.

Along with her saves, the Poland goalkeeper's handling was secure and distribution was generally good.

Martinez's outstanding finish means she has now scored in three successive WSL games.

After picking up four points in their past two games, the Hammers seemed set for an unlikely point, which would have been their first this season after conceding the opening goal.

That it took a set-piece to beat them 19 minutes from time, on a day when defensive mainstays Anouk Denton and Shelina Zadorsky were absent, was evidence of West Ham's durability.

It should provide Hammers boss Rehanne Skinner with belief that victory can be achieved in next Sunday's crucial encounter with Liverpool, who remain the only side below West Ham in the table.

Manchester United face a mouth-watering Champions League encounter with French heavyweights Lyon at Leigh Sports Village on Wednesday, 10 December (20:00 GMT). Their next WSL game is also at Leigh, against Tottenham on Sunday, 14 December (14:30 GMT). West Ham are next in action at home toi Liverpool in a key WSL clash at the foot of the table, also on 14 December (11:55 GMT).