City deliver emphatic win on Derby Day

The Blues took a three-goal lead in at the break against a side that were yet to lose on the road this season, beginning with a Rebecca Knaak header and sliding Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw effort.

However, the pick of the bunch was our third, with Lauren Hemp launching an exquisite, vicious drive into the top corner on her return to the starting line-up.

While we weren’t able to add to the score line after the break, the win moves us seven points clear of our local rivals, and maintains our position atop the WSL table.

What happened

City, the WSL’s leading scorers, were looking for an eighth win in a row against a United side unbeaten on the road and with the league’s strongest defensive record. Something had to give at the Etihad Stadium.

Vivianne Miedema and Yui Hasegawa had both gone close early on, but the hosts’ strong start was rewarded with the game’s opener midway through the first half when Knaak rose highest to head home Shaw’s knockback from a corner.

It was the German’s third headed goal in three derby appearances, and after absorbing a spell of United pressure, number two would follow with half-time approaching.

Jade Rose found Kerstin Casparij down the right flank and the Dutch international’s inch-perfect ball was poked home by Shaw, who’d stolen in just ahead of goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel.

But in a half of superlatives for City, number three was the pick of the bunch, with Hemp rifling an unstoppable drive into the top corner of the net just four minutes later.

United came out fighting after the break with the in-form Melvine Malard coming off the bench, but the hosts continued to hold firm heading into the final 20 minutes, as the returning Jess Park fired against the outside of the post.

The closest City went to a fourth came with ten to play, when Miedema played Shaw in behind with an outstanding pass, but the Jamaican was this time denied by Middleton-Patel when cutting back onto her right foot.

United continued to push for a consolation, but the closest they came saw Rose bravely get in front of Canada team-mate Simi Awujo to head off the line.

Derby Delight

Eight wins in a row now for City in the WSL, but it’s the manner of this victory which will perhaps raise eyebrows the most.

United came into the first derby of the season with an unbeaten away record in the WSL and had conceded just four times before this afternoon.

But, at times, they simply didn’t have an answer for City’s energy, intricacy and quality across the pitch, almost doubling the number of goals they’ve conceded this campaign in just 45 minutes.

The Blues were beaten by United and Arsenal at home last season but have now come out of those ties with a 100% record.

Hemp delivers a stunner

Hemp was returning to the starting line-up for the first time since an ankle injury in mid-September, and she more than delivered with a truly world class finish.

If United had been on the ropes heading into the break, the winger’s stunning drive was the sucker punch, as she steadied herself and left Middleton-Patel with no chance from 25 yards.

A goal of the season contender from one of the WSL’s finest and most consistent attacking talents.

Defensive diligence

City were missing captain Alex Greenwood as she continues her recover from injury, but Rose and Knaak’s assured performances at centre-half were key to the Blues’ victory.

Knaak headed home our opener, her third in three Manchester derbies, while Rose also played a key role in number two with a buccaneering run up field.

Rose’s pace and power, combined with Knaak’s intelligence and composure, provided a perfect defensive blend for the hosts against one of the WSL’s most dangerous attacks.

Player of the Match: Vivianne Miedema

An excellent display from the Dutch international, who’s experience and quality shone through at the Etihad.

She could even have had an assist to her name after winning the ball back on the edge of the City area and playing a phenomenal pass through to Shaw at the end.

		Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Form
1		Manchester City Man City	9	8	0	1	23	9	14	24
2		Chelsea Chelsea	9	6	3	0	16	5	11	21
3		Manchester United Man United	9	5	2	2	19	9	10	17

What it means

City stay top of the WSL table, moving seven points clear of United, who are third.

Second-placed Chelsea face Liverpool on Sunday and would close the gap back to a point if they get a win.

How we lined up

City XI: Yamashita, Rose, Knaak, Ouahabi, Casparij (C), Blindkilde Brown (Lohmann 74’), Hasegawa, Hemp (Beney 74’), Fujino, Miedema, Shaw (Clinton 83’)

Subs: Keating, Coombs, Wienroither, Prior, Thomas, Oldroyd

United XI: Middleton-Patel, Sandberg, Le Tissier (C), Toone (Awujo 83’), Park (Williams 75’), Terland (Malard 46’), Galton (Rolfo 62’), Riviere (Blundell 62’), Janssen, Zigiotti, Miyazawa

Subs: Rendell, George, Naalsund, Griffiths

Up Next

City are back in League Cup action next Saturday as we travel down to the Midlands to face Nottingham Forest.

Kick-off at Field Mill is set for 14:00 (UK) with the Blues looking to reach the quarter-finals with a win.