Lrics and Slurs

I'm entering lyrics for a song that contains many slurred couplets which have just one syllable for the two slurred notes. When I enter the lyrics, the word is under the first of the slurred notes and I have to space over the second note. the score then looks "odd" and causes the music to stretch more than it needs. What is really needed is the ability for the lyrics to be centred under the two slurred notes.

is this Possible? If so how to I do it?