Manchester City 1-1 Manchester United: Entertaining WSL derby ends in draw
- Published
Man City held by Man Utd in thrilling derby
Manchester City played out a thrilling draw against neighbours and top-three rivals Manchester United at Etihad Stadium in front of the second-largest crowd in Women's Super League history.
After a positive start from the hosts, their momentum took a knock when Leah Galton skipped past City defender Laia Aleixandri and played a one-two with Ella Toone before driving through the legs of Alex Greenwood in the 27th minute.
City's first-half response was not encouraging for the subdued crowd of 44,259 - a record attendance for the hosts - and the opening exchanges of the second period did not make for better viewing.
But Laura Coombs' header from Chloe Kelly's cross - which had evaded United defender Millie Turner, who was distracted by the presence of the WSL's top goal scorer Khadija Shaw - drew City level and sparked them and the home crowd into life.
What ensued was an entertaining, end-to-end encounter, with both sides knowing a point - even though it was probably a fair result - would be no good to them if the title race and push for third-place goes down to the wire.
City are fourth in the table, three points behind third-placed United after nine games. They trail leaders Chelsea by five points following the Blues' win over Reading on Sunday evening, but United have played one game fewer.
The result means United have still never beaten their city rivals in the WSL.
City's game of two halves
The hosts started the game well and for 20 minutes United struggled to deal with City's high press as the Blues limited their only chance to a Katie Zelem set-piece, smothered by goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck.
But as the first half went on and the visitors managed to break through that press, City struggled to create any meaningful chances and momentary flashes of brilliance from Lauren Hemp, who did not see enough of the ball, were the only thing a subdued crowd could find to cheer about.
City's frustrations came to a head when Leila Ouahabi's diving tackle cut out a superb driving run from Hannah Blundell and the former Barcelona defender screamed at her City team-mates, furious that Blundell had been able to make the run.
The home side started the second half much the same and Coombs' headed goal came out of nowhere but it was the catalyst City needed to raise their game.
Kelly sent in a dangerous ball that looked set for the back of the net before firing over the bar on the volley, while Hemp's low cross was skewed over the bar before it could reach the arriving Shaw.
Earps twice denied the head of Shaw and the Jamaican striker almost had the chance to volley home after a scramble in the box as the crowd sensed something could be brewing.
City manager Gareth Taylor paced his technical area, while United counterpart Marc Skinner opted for a more controlled position on the bench, as the crowd inside the Etihad willed the home side to find an elusive winner.
After what started as a dispiriting City performance, Taylor will probably be disappointed his side could not wrap up the victory and firmly put his side among the title contenders.
United's cohesion dangerous throughout
This is the third WSL match in a row that United have played inside the bigger men's stadium and the players seem to be thriving on the big occasion.
After a tricky start, where United goalkeeper Earps brilliantly punched Greenwood's deep corner away from the mouth of the goal, Galton and Blundell's link-up play down the left flank paid off.
Galton's smash was the first goal United have scored in a Manchester derby at City's ground in the WSL.
After the equaliser, United looked fired up and Ella Toone fired over the bar before the game settled but into something more intense than the first half, with Russo going close with her head before Roebuck produced a sensational save from a Martha Thomas header.
United had chances to steal the points in the dying seconds as Toone shot over the bar before a mistake from Roebuck afforded Lucia Garcia an opportunity which was superbly blocked by Greenwood.
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