Manchester City Women Go Clear at WSL Summit After Derby Win
Lauren Hemp scored on her first start since November as Manchester City Women moved four points clear at the top of the WSL after a convincing derby day win over Manchester United. The winger, who returned to the side during last week’s win at Everton, scored a rasping drive on the stroke of half-time to give the Blues a 3-0 advantage after goals by Rebecca Knaak and Bunny Shaw put City firmly in control.
After going top last weekend with a hard-fought 2-1 on Merseyside, the Blues welcomed United to the Etihad Stadium, looking to go four points clear and take the local bragging rights against their neighbours.
And the Blues did not disappoint, digging out a victory that showed all the hallmarks of champions against the side that walked to victory in this fixture in January. And the reintroduction of Hemp, out since a 5-1 hammering of Spurs in September, is not what City’s rivals would have wanted to see as the winger gave a strong performance on her return to the side.
And it was her goal that finished the match as a contest, taking a pass from the once again impressive Kerstin Casparij, before thundering a shot into the top corner in front of the visiting fans.
City needed the win to keep ahead of champions Chelsea, who play on Sunday against a Liverpool side who are yet to record a WSL win this season. And, despite still missing a number of key players in Kerolin, Mary Fowler and Alex Greenwood, City welcomed back Hemp, whilst Grace Clinton, Sydney Lohmann and Knaak were also welcome additions after injury.
And it was Knaak, who loves scoring against United, who headed City in front after 26 minutes. A corner on the City right was headed back across goal by Shaw and Knaak reacted well to guide a header beyond the keeper and settle City nerves. The German defender notched her third goal against United to open the scoring, but it should relaly have been a goal that put City out of sight.
Vivianne Miedema and Yui Hasegawa had both gone close early on but couldn’t find the target as City looked to put the game to bed as early as possible. That would come though, as Bunny Shaw doubled City’s lead two minutes before the break. Casparij, as she so often has this season, played an enticing cross into the penalty area and Shaw slid in ahead of the keeper to make it 2-0.
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