Manchester City Women Go Clear at WSL Summit After Derby Win

Lauren Hemp scored on her first begin since November as Manchester Metropolis Girls moved 4 factors clear on the prime of the WSL after a convincing derby day win over Manchester United. The winger, who returned to the facet throughout final week’s win at Everton, scored a rasping drive on the stroke of half-time to present the Blues a 3-0 benefit after objectives by Rebecca Knaak and Bunny Shaw put Metropolis firmly in management.

After going prime final weekend with a hard-fought 2-1 on Merseyside, the Blues welcomed United to the Etihad Stadium, seeking to go 4 factors clear and take the native bragging rights towards their neighbours.

And the Blues didn’t disappoint, digging out a victory that confirmed all of the hallmarks of champions towards the facet that walked to victory on this fixture in January. And the reintroduction of Hemp, out since a 5-1 hammering of Spurs in September, isn’t what Metropolis’s rivals would have needed to see because the winger gave a robust efficiency on her return to the facet.

And it was her aim that completed the match as a contest, taking a cross from the as soon as once more spectacular Kerstin Casparij, earlier than thundering a shot into the highest nook in entrance of the visiting followers.

Metropolis wanted the win to maintain forward of champions Chelsea, who play on Sunday towards a Liverpool facet who’re but to document a WSL win this season. And, regardless of nonetheless lacking numerous key gamers in Kerolin, Mary Fowler and Alex Greenwood, Metropolis welcomed again Hemp, while Grace Clinton, Sydney Lohmann and Knaak have been additionally welcome additions after damage.

And it was Knaak, who loves scoring towards United, who headed Metropolis in entrance after 26 minutes. A nook on the Metropolis proper was headed again throughout aim by Shaw and Knaak reacted nicely to information a header past the keeper and settle Metropolis nerves. The German defender notched her third aim towards United to open the scoring, however it ought to relaly have been a aim that put Metropolis out of sight.

Vivianne Miedema and Yui Hasegawa had each gone shut early on however couldn’t discover the goal as Metropolis regarded to place the sport to mattress as early as doable. That will come although, as Bunny Shaw doubled Metropolis’s lead two minutes earlier than the break. Casparij, as she so typically has this season, performed an attractive cross into the penalty space and Shaw slid in forward of the keeper to make it 2-0.

Hemp’s second got here two minutes into damage time as United grew to become the architects of their very own downfall. Making an attempt to play the ball out from the again, Casparij intercepted, charged ahead and performed in Hemp, who was given time to regular herself and fireplace into the highest nook.

United tried to make a present of it within the second half however have been unable to discover a shot on the right track. Hemp tried a spectacular shot that went over the bar, whereas Shaw was denied by the visiting keeper after leaving United defenders trailing in her wake.

Hasegawa then examined the keeper whereas on the different finish, former Blue Jess Park struck the surface of the put up in what turned out to be United’s greatest likelihood of the match.

Ultimately, it was a cushty victory for Andre Jeglertz’ facet, who’ve now received their final eight WSL matches for the reason that opening day defeat at Chelsea. However, in addition to being prime of the league, Metropolis now have the bragging rights over their neighbours, emulating the boys’ 3-0 win over United earlier within the Premier League season, guaranteeing that Manchester stays Blue.

Remaining Rating: Manchester Metropolis 3-0 Manchester United