In an entertaining opening UEFA Women’s Nations League clash at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light - watched by more than 40,000, fans - the beaten World Cup finalists endured a frantic second-half to claim a hard-earned victory.
Alex Greenwood, Chloe Kelly, and Hemp all started for England with Laura Coombs, Esme Morgan, Jess Park, and Ellie Roebuck all on the subs’ bench.
In a typically competitive clash between the old rivals, the Lionesses thought they’d taken the lead on 25 minutes, but Rachel Daly’s powerful header was disallowed, with the referee deciding City’s Kelly had blocked the keeper’s view while being in an offside position.
It looked a debatable decision to say the least.
England’s dominance was finally rewarded on 40 minutes when Manchester United’s Katie Zelem spotted Lucy Bronze’s burst into the box and the former City star guided the ball past Lee Gibson in goal to make it 1-0.
And within four minutes, Sarina Wiegman’s side had doubled their lead.
Aston Villa forward Daly was the creator this time, sending in an excellent ball from the right for Hemp to thump a super header past Gibson and put the Lionesses firmly in command.
On the stroke of half-time, however, some untidy England defending saw Kirsty Hanson pull one back for Scotland, halving the hosts’ lead at the break.
Kelly’s evening ended on 58 minutes when she was replaced by United striker Ella Toone.
Scotland had the better chances in the time that remained, with Greenwood making an excellent clearance as Hanson’s cross almost found the head of Claire Emslie 15 minutes from the end.
The dangerous Hanson then saw a volley strike the crossbar moments later.
England were forced to cling on at times, though Lauren James was denied an added time goal after she was judged to have strayed offside.
The Lionesses saw out the last few frantic minutes to claim a 2-1 and go level at the top of Group A1.
Spain win, Roord on target for dutch
Filippa Angeldahl’s Sweden were beaten by new world champions Spain who included City team-mate Laia Aleixandri in their starting XI.
The Swedes went ahead through Magdalena Eriksson’s header on 23 minutes, but Spain levelled on 37 through Athenea del Castillo’s low shot from outside the box.
Angeldahl fired a couple of efforts on target without scoring before her evening ended on 65 minutes when she was replaced by Hanna Bennison.
Eva Navarro put the Spaniards ahead on 73 minutes, but Sweden fought back, with Lina Hurtig levelling on 82 minutes.
The Swedes looked set for a deserved point until Amanda Ilestedt pulled Amaiur Sarriegi down in the box four minutes into added time - earning a red card for her troubles.
The resulting penalty was converted by Mariona Caldentey with almost the last kick of the game to give Aleixandri’s Spain a 3-2 win in Gothenburg.
Elsewhere, Julie Blakstad was an unused sub in Norway’s 1-1 draw with Austria.
City’s Netherlands duo Jill Roord and Kerstin Casparij both played against Belgium in Heverlee.
Roord was named in the starting XI while Casparij started on the bench.
There were few opportunities of note in the opening 45 minutes, which ended goalless.
The match burst into life on the hour-mark when Roord turned home Lineth Beerensteyn’s cross to put the Dutch ahead.
But Belgium struck back immediately Marie Detruyer striking home Jassina Blom’s cross just two minutes later.
Roord’s evening ended five minutes from the end of time as she was replaced by Fenna Kalma and Casparij came on for Sherida Spitse - but Blom would snatch victory for the Belgians in added time with a close range finish from a corner giving her side a 2-1 win.
