Manchester City won a thrilling Derby as they beat Manchester United by 3-1 after coming from behind in their first Women’s Super League match between the two sides at Old Trafford.
In the first half, United took the lead through captain Katie Zelem’s penalty in 21st minute. A Geyse goal was disallowed and Jill Roord’s and Lauren Hemp’s quick-fire strikes turned around things.
City’s third goal came early in the second-half when Mary Earps kicked off Khadija Shaw, and it went in. Then they were down to 10 players after Laia aleixandri was given a second yellow card.
The game ended with 11 minutes stoppage added to the normal 18 minute time. United was unable to capitalize on their player advantage and the away team won in front of 43 615 spectators.
Marc Skinner and City suffered their first WSL defeat of the season.
City has moved up from fourth to third in the table. They are now six points behind Chelsea in first place, and United is a further point back in fourth.
City had a bright start in the match. Earps dealt with headers by Alanna Kennedy, Shaw and Alex Greenwood.
The United goalkeeper also made an excellent save on Shaw, who was denied by Hemp’s shot.
Zelem converted the penalty in fine fashion, with Khiara Keating attempting to go the right direction but failing.
United had thought that they’d scored a second goal just after the first half hour when Geyse attempted to pass the ball to Nikita Parris in the box. Kennedy blocked the attempt and sent it back to Brazil. She then put the ball in. The flag went up, and it was ruled out as the ball appeared to have gone out of the play.
City scored twice within two minutes, and United was behind. Roord scored in the 34th minute after Chloe Kelly’s good work on the left. Hemp then hit an excellent shot off the top of the bar.
Kelly could have added another goal in the 41st, but Earps made another excellent stop.
City extended its lead in bizarre circumstances ten minutes into second half when Maya Le Tissier sent back a pass towards Earps. The keeper tried to clear the ball under Shaw’s pressure, but her kick bounced off and went into the goal.
Taylor’s team suffered a blow in the 72nd minutes when Aleixandri received a red card for grabbing United substitute Lucia Garcia while she was bursting forward.
Garcia then forced Keating to save with a long-range shot. During the extended period of extra time, Jayde Riviere and Zelem, two substitutes, also made attempts that Keating could not match. City held on to its lead.
