Manchester City took the bragging rights with a convincing 3-0 Women’s Super League victory over Manchester United at the Academy Stadium.
Manchester City Beat Manchester United in the Women’s Super League
Manchester City Show Ruthlessness
Goals from Lucy Bronze, Lauren Hemp and Caroline Weir gave Gareth Taylor’s side an emphatic win in an engrossing contest, but the scoreline was somewhat harsh on a United team that didn’t take advantage of a promising spell of play early in the second half.
But Gareth Taylor’s side showed their ruthlessness in front of goal to move up to second place and within two points of league leaders Chelsea, recording their seventh straight Women’s Super League victory in the process.
For Casey Stoney, the focus now appears to be turning towards the battle for a top-three finish and a place in next season’s Women’s Champions League.
Arsenal are nine points behind United in fourth but have two games in hand over the Red Devils to significantly cut into that deficit.
A Cagey Opening
There was little to choose between the two sides in the opening 15 minutes in a cagey opening, and with City having most of the possession, United looked to get joy going forward on the counter-attack.
Christen Press was deployed up front on her own in a 4-2-3-1 formation, and the Red Devils were eager to make the most of her pace up top with some long balls over City’s defence.
The first of which came from Hayley Ladd, but City keeper Ellie Roebuck was out quickly to thwart the United States World Cup winner.
But it would be harsh to label United as long-ball merchants, and they created a lovely bit of free-flowing play that was instigated by Ella Toone and resulted in some lovely link-up play involving Jackie Groenen and Leah Galton – the latter elected to cut the ball back across goal instead of taking a shot and allowed City to clear the danger.
Manchester United Undone by Set-Pieces Again
Both of Reading’s goals in their 2-0 win over United on February 7 came from set-pieces, and that proved to be the undoing of Stoney’s team once again.
Chloe Kelly’s corner found its way to the near post and after a number of half-hearted attempts to clear the ball by the United defence, Bronze took advantage of the mayhem and fired home with a close-range finish in the 23rd minute.
City then showed indecision at the back themselves, as Kelly failed to clear the ball away and Ladd shot agonisingly wide in what was by far the visitors’ best chance of the first half.
The already long injury list was extended further shortly before the break when Leah Galton went down in an off-the-ball incident.
The winger hobbled off the pitch and looked to be in some pain. Stoney already has an extensive injury list to contend with, as Lucy Staniforth, Tobin Heath and Alessia Russo are among those already on the treatment table.
Manchester United Made Promising Start to the Second Half
Despite the goal and injury setbacks, it was United that looked the more likely to strike next after the restart. Press continued to look lively and worked the channels very well.
She made a promising run down the left to get the better of Steph Houghton but shot straight at Roebuck.
Moments later, she spotted Roebuck out of her goal only to see her attempt sail over the bar.
But Lauren Hemp added a sucker-punch of a second goal for City, which left a lot to be desired defensively for United.
Kelly’s initial shot was saved by Mary Earps in the United goal, but Hemp’s left-footed strike took a deflection and beat the United shot-stopper to make it 2-0 in the 71st minute.
Weir rounds off the game with a superb third goal
City ensured the points were safe with six minutes of normal time remaining thanks to Weir’s exquisite finish.
The Scotland international turned on the edge of the box and chipped the ball over Earps to make it 3-0 and add further impetus to City’s title challenge.
The title may be out of reach for United now, but there is still plenty more to come from this side. One would not bet against Stoney’s team making another serious challenge for top spot next season, especially if they have better luck with injuries.
Attention now turns to three more Women’s Super League fixtures on February 14 before a break in action due to the international break.
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