Knaak’s late header edges City closer to WSL title

The German’s effort from an Alex Greenwood cross was the difference in a tense penultimate WSL match of the campaign, which confirmed our 100% record on home soil.

After an off-colour first half, it looked like City would have to settle for a point in front of a sell-out Joie Stadium, despite Kerolin and Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw both going close.

But Knaak’s late header means we’ll be crowned champions with a win on the final day of the campaign at West Ham United, unless Arsenal drop points against Brighton, Aston Villa or Everton before then.

What happened

There’d been plenty of excitement ahead of our final home game of the season, but it was a nervy start from the hosts.

Liverpool twice went close inside the opening five minutes, with Ayaka Yamashita making a fine save to deny Denise O’Sullivan, before Grace Fisk struck the post from a corner.

The Blues gradually worked our way into the game and tested Jennifer Falk for the first time on 25 minutes, when she palmed Shaw’s first-time effort behind after a typically lung-busting Lauren Hemp run down the left.

City failed to hit top gear in the first 45 but looked much more like our usual selves after the break with Kerolin forcing a fine one-on-one save from Falk just after the hour.

The visitors went close themselves with 20 to play when Beata Olsson glanced a header just wide of the far post.

We continued to battle for the winner and, as the game ticked into stoppage time, we found it through Knaak.

City’s sustained pressure finally told when Greenwood looped a ball into the area, with the German’s diving header squeezing into the net to send the Joie Stadium into raptures.

There was still time for Laura Coombs to mark her final home game and help see out the win though, after the midfielder announced her retirement earlier this week.

One step closer

It wasn’t pretty, but that win moves City within touching distance of a first WSL title since 2016.

The Blues will be crowned champions if we win our final game of the season away to West Ham United on Saturday 16 May (13:00 UK kick-off), though a point could also potentially be enough on goal difference.

However, should Arsenal fail to beat Brighton (6 May), Aston Villa (9 May) or Everton (13 May), then top spot would be guaranteed before we face the Hammers.

Home comforts

City’s WSL home record has been spotless in 2025/26, with the Blues winning all nine of our fixture at the Joie Stadium as well as both our visits to the Etihad Stadium.

Our 12th successive victory on home soil is also a club record, with crucial victories over title rivals Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United before today’s triumph over Liverpool.

During that time we’ve scored 43 goals and conceded just 10.

Player of the Match: Lauren Hemp

A typically tireless display from the England international out on the left.

Even when City were struggling to gain a foothold at the Joie Stadium, Hemp was the driving force out wide, pressing high and causing problems.

How we lined up

City XI: Yamashita, Rose, Knaak, Greenwood (C), Casparij, Coffey, Hasegawa, Hemp, Fujino (Fowler 83’), Kerolin (Coombs 90’), Shaw.

City Subs: Keating, Clinton, Ouahabi, Blindkilde Brown, Beney, Prior, Murphy.

Liverpool XI: Falk, Fisk (C), Shimizu (Bergstrom 69’), O’Sullivan, Nagano, Olsson, Enderby, Clark, Holland (Woodham 88’), Csillag (Josendal 82’), Bernabe

Liverpool Subs: Kirby, Evans, MacLean, Shaw, Trueman

Up next

Our attentions turn back to the FA Cup on Sunday 10 May, when we travel to face Chelsea in the semi-finals.

Kick-off is set for 15:30 (UK) at Stamford Bridge, with a spot in the final at Wembley against either Liverpool or Brighton up for grabs.

Next Fixture

All fixtures

Sun 10 May

Women's FA Cup

Chelsea

15:30

BST

Man City