Manchester City finished second in the women’s Super League table after a convincing derby win over rivals Manchester United.
Defender Lucy Bronze scored a loose ball in the first half to give City the lead before Lauren Hemp hit 2-0 after the break.
Caroline Weir added a third in sensational style, with a wonderful performance from 20 meters.
The win leaves City two points behind leaders Chelsea.
City, who will take on the Blues at Academy Stadium in April, extended his winning run to seven consecutive games and deservedly scored three points on a freezing night in Manchester.
In the meantime, the defeat was the second in a row in the WSL after losing 2-0 to Reading last weekend. They fell to third place after playing one more game than the first two.
The first half was relatively tame – United midfielder Hayley Ladd shot past the post before City striker Ellen White met goalkeeper Mary Earps directly.
United were also less threatening in the second half, although Christen Press and Kirsty Hanson, who replaced the injured Leah Galton, could occasionally fall behind.
But City was in control, and after hemp was deflected off the bottom of the crossbar by defense attorney Amy Turner, they continued to dominate.
Well-shaped England international Chloe Kelly scored multiple saves from Earps and Georgia Stanway had a shot deflected just inches from the edge of the box before Weir City’s third goal of the night scored.
Weir’s goal was to select the group – an impressive endurance performance that bore similarities to its winner in the first WSL Manchester Derby at the Etihad Stadium in 2019.
The win puts City in a strong position when it comes to the final stages of a thrilling title race between Chelsea and United, while fourth-placed Arsenal has lost its pace after two losses to City and Chelsea.
Reaction – “We still have a lot to learn”
Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor on scoring six points from key games against Arsenal and Manchester United: “It’s amazing, I’m not going to lie.
“I said before these two games that they will go a long way in determining what will happen [this season].
“But there is still a lot of football to come and I think if we had a negative result tonight I would probably still speak positively about the United game.”
“I still think there are more twists and turns, we have to be careful [keep] Focus on what we’re doing and take it game after game. And that’s it.”
Casey Stoney, Manchester United Manager: “It’s bitterly disappointing to come here and to concede three avoidable goals and not to create much in my opinion.
“We have to learn very quickly that you will be punished if you don’t understand the basics properly at this level.
“We were turned around too easily at times. We played in the wrong areas and made the wrong decisions on the ball, so we have to learn a lot.
“We conceded five [goals] in two [games]If you want to win a title, you can’t do that.
“The qualification for the Champions League is still in our hands and that has always been our goal.”
Constellations
Man city women
formation 4-3-3
26thRoebuck
20thbronze6thHoughton13Dahlkemper27Greenwood
10Stanway24Walsh19thWeir
9Kelly18thWhitefifteenhemp
- 26thRoebuck
- 20thbronze
- 6thHoughton
- 13Dahlkemper
- 27GreenwoodBooked at 59 minutes
- 10Stanway
- 24Walsh
- 19thWeirReplaced byCoombsat the 90 ‘protocol
- 9Kelly
- 18thWhiteReplaced byLavelleat the 85 ‘protocol
- fifteenhemp
replacement
- 1Bardsley
- 2Mannion
- 7thCoombs
- 11Beckie
- 14thMorgan
- 16park
- 21stLavelle
- 34Benameur
- 39Davies
Man utd women
formation 4-2-3-1
27Earps
3Thorisdottir4thGymnast21stGymnast17thmayor
10Zelem12Ladd
7thTo a14thGreen11Galton
24Press
- 27Earps
- 3Thorisdottir
- 4thGymnast
- 21stGymnast
- 17thmayor
- 10Zelem
- 12LaddBooked at 28 minutesReplaced bySigsworthat the 70 ‘protocolBooked at 90 minutes
- 7thTo aReplaced byMeltedat the 88 ‘protocol
- 14thGreen
- 11GaltonReplaced byHansonat the 45 ‘protocol
- 24Press
replacement
- 2Harris
- 9Sigsworth
- 13Melted
- 18thHanson
- 19thHorse
- 22ndBentley
- 28Jones
- 32Bourne
Live text
End of game, Manchester City Women 3, Manchester United Women 0.
The second half ends with Manchester City Women 3, Manchester United Women 0.
Jessica Sigsworth (Manchester United Women) receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
Alex Greenwood (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Jessica Sigsworth (Manchester United Women).
Substitution, Manchester City Women. Laura Coombs replaces Caroline Weir.
Substitution, Manchester United Women. Ivana Fuso replaces Ella Toone.
Offside, Manchester United Women. Katie Zelem tries a through pass but Christen Press is offside.
Substitution, Manchester City Women. Rose Lavelle replaces Ellen White.
Goal! Manchester City Women 3, Manchester United Women 0. Caroline Weir (Manchester City Women) shot with her left foot from the left side of the box into the top right corner.
Attempt saved. Lauren Hemp (Manchester City Women) left footed shot from the left inside the six yard box is saved in the center of the goal by the goalkeeper. Prepared by Ellen White.
Missed attempt. Maria Thorisdottir (Manchester United Women) header from the center of the box misses the goal on the right. Assisted by Katie Zelem with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Manchester United Women. The corner was caused by Ellie Roebuck.
Attempt saved. Christen Press (Manchester United Women) ‘s left-footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the lower left corner. Assisted by Kirsty Hanson with a through pass.
Attempt saved. Caroline Weir (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from the center of the box is saved in the center of the box by the goalkeeper. Assisted by Chloe Kelly with a cross.
Corner, Manchester City Women. The corner was caused by Amy Turner.
Attempt blocked. Georgia Stanway (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Prepared by Lauren Hemp.
Keira Walsh (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Ona Batlle (Manchester United Women).
Corner, Manchester City Women. The corner was caused by Ona Batlle.
