Man Utd claim first ever WSL win at Man City to leapfrog rivals into third in league
Visitors raced into 3-0 lead through Toone (two) and Galton in first half as they made sloppy hosts pay
Miedema and Knaak reduced deficit for Man City before Toone completed hat-trick after break
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Thanks for joining us for yet another another goal-filled day of WSL action.
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Here's a run down of the final scores from today's four games.
Simply click each scoreline to read the match report.
FT: Man City 2-4 Man Utd
That huge win at Etihad Stadium sees United leapfrog rivals City into third place.
They sit level on points with Arsenal in second, and seven off league leaders Chelsea, with those sides set to go head to head at Stamford Bridge next weekend.
Having been widely tipped to be the closest title challengers to Chelsea this year, Man City are now nine points off the summit in fourth.
Image source, BBC SportFT: Man City 2-4 Man Utd
Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor, speaking to Sky Sports: “The margins are so tight in this league that a loss can be detrimental. You can lose one game in a season and not win the title.
"It’s an uphill battle but we have another game on Wednesday [in the League Cup] and it’s an opportunity to turn things around in our favour.”
FT: Man City 2-4 Man Utd
Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor, speaking to Sky Sports: “Our build up play is normally a really strong part of our game. It’s the way I like to play. But we got it wrong tonight on a number of occasions.
“[We gave away] easy goals. The decision-making was off from us and it’s frustrating to give away three goals in that manner. The fourth was difficult to take because it’s a situation we don’t need to be in.
“It’s hard [for Khiara Keating]. You feel responsible and like you’ve let the team down. But she’s been really good for us and she’s a young keeper, so she’s going to make mistakes. All goalkeepers go through that. What you want to see is the strength of character to come back and get the execution right next time."
FT: Man City 2-4 Man Utd
Man City boss Gareth Taylor told Sky Sports that defeat this evening is "detrimental" to his side's title ambitions.
Let's hear from the blue side of Manchester now...
FT: Man City 2-4 Man Utd
Manchester United's Ella Toone speaking to Sky Sports on going level on points with Arsenal in second: "We're doing well. I think sometimes people write us off but we know what squad we've got.
"We've got personality, we've got attitude, we've got work rate and we give it our all every time we step on the pitch.
"We came out fighting today and put on a show right until the end. There were times in that game where they had a lot of possession and mentally that's hard to keep running, to keep fighting but we did that and very proud of the team today. That one was for Geyse as well.
"When the chances came we put them to bed. I'm buzzing with today. I think we'll rewatch that over and over."
FT: Man City 2-4 Man Utd
Manchester United's Ella Toone speaking to Sky Sports about coming back after injury: "When I got injured it was a blessing in disguise. Looking back I needed it, not just physically but mentally as well.
"I've used my time wisely to get back fitter, stronger but more importantly look after myself. I think for all my family it was nice for us to just have a little break away.
"We obviously missed Dad a lot and it's been tough but I couldn't have done it without these lot [the team], so yeah buzzing."
FT: Man City 2-4 Man Utd
Manchester United's Ella Toone, speaking to Sky Sports: Yeah, we're speechless as well. It's a derby. It means so much. I thought we put on a massive shift and a great performance and I think we deserve that.
"I was letting the girls know 'Girls I've never scored in a Manchester derby'. From a girl that supports Manchester United I know what these derbies mean.
"I want to come into every game making something happen on the pitch and putting in a shift for the girls but today I wanted a goal and managed to get three so special day for me.
"I couldn't have done it without the players, the staff and it's been nice to get on the scoresheet."
#bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only - standard rates apply) or WhatsApp 03301231826
Depth and harmony is a big issue and Gareth ultimately is not good enough to deliver titles.
Dom, Manchester
I don't think Chelsea will see anything that worries them here. Until City get Shaw and Hemp fit Arsenal seem to be the only team capable of beating them.
Toby
FT: Man City 2-4 Man Utd
Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter at Etihad Stadium
United's players raced straight over to celebrate with fans behind the goal which Ella Toone grabbed her hat-trick in.
They hold up a shirt in tribute to team-mate Geyse and pose for photos.
Fans chant Toone's name and give the team a standing ovation, while at the other end of the pitch, some of City's players are on their knees.
Vivianne Miedema goes over to Khiara Keating and gives her a hug. It was a tough evening for the young England goalkeeper.
FT: Man City 2-4 Man Utd
With the match ball firmly tucked under her arm Ella Toone is speaking to Sky Sports about her stellar performance.
We'll bring you those quotes in full shortly.
FT: Man City 2-4 Man Utd
The first ever player to score a hat-trick in a Women's Super League Manchester derby.
Take a bow, Ella Toone.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Man City 2-4 Man Utd
Lindsay Johnson
Ex-England defender on 5 Sports Extra
In the midfield areas, Miyazawa and Janssen have put lots of pressure on City's players. Hasegawa and Roord haven't been able to get in the game.
United have been the better unit in all areas of the pitch.
FT: Man City 2-4 Man Utd
Lindsay Johnson
Ex-England defender on 5 Sports Extra
From the offset, United started with that high press to put City's backline under pressure. They probably didn't expect it to fold as easily as it did but they capitalised on every mistake.
And that goal in the 46th minute from Ella Toone put the game to bed.
City will be disappointed with their performance tonight but United will be over the moon. Their transitional play was brilliant.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Man City 2-4 Man Utd
Jubilant scenes in front of the away end as United celebrate with their travelling fans.
The players hold up a shirt reading 'Geyse 23' in a show of support for the Brazilian forward, who was not involved in today's game due to a family bereavement.
Image source, Getty ImagesMan City 2-4 Man Utd
History for Manchester United as they claim a first away WSL win over rivals Manchester City.
In a rather fitting turn of fate childhood fan Ella Toone takes the plaudits with a hat-trick on the enemy's home turf.
Image source, Getty ImagesMan City 2-4 Man Utd
United are finishing the game the stronger of the sides. They know the three points are in the bag now.
Rachel Williams dives at the feet of Lily Murphy in the box to deny a late City chance.
Man City 2-4 Man Utd
Grace Clinton shows great feet to jink past Yui Hasegawa and Rebecca Knaak.
Her shot is then blocked by Laia Aleixandri with Leah Galton left standing with her arms in the air as if to say 'Why didn't you pass?'
Image source, Getty ImagesWatch Ella Toone's hat-trick as United beat City 4-2 at WSL derby
Ella Toone scored a hat-trick on her Women's Super League return from injury as Manchester United beat Manchester City in a thrilling derby at Etihad Stadium.
It was a chaotic battle in Manchester but Toone stole the show as she took advantage of individual errors amid frantic City defending.
The England international scored twice in the first half as United stunned the hosts, leading 3-0 within 36 minutes after Leah Galton joined in the party, poking home from close range following a corner.
City goalkeeper Khiara Keating had an evening to forget as her short pass to Leila Ouahabi led to Toone's second goal, and the 20-year-old made another horrible error in the second half when her clearance was charged down by Elisabeth Terland in the build-up to Toone's third.
That put United back in the driving seat after Vivianne Miedema and City's new German signing Rebecca Knaak headed in goals just before half-time, threatening a comeback.
Just one point separated the sides before kick-off but United have now leapfrogged City into third place in the WSL table, seven points off leaders Chelsea.
"In this moment Manchester is red and I want to make sure the fans celebrate," said United manager Marc Skinner.
"I am really happy with the way the players performed and the energy they gave but we should have been at least five or six up in the first half.
"We have lost one game in the season and it's the draws we wanted to turn into victories. We need to use this as a momentum point."
Drama had unfolded in Manchester before either side had kicked a ball as speculation regarding England forward Chloe Kelly's future circulated - and she was not named in the City squad.
Manager Gareth Taylor told Sky Sports that Kelly had trained on Saturday but picked up an ankle injury afterwards, although it did little to quieten rumours the 27-year-old could be leaving the club this month.
Meanwhile, United manager Skinner said he wanted his side to show "more personality" and they certainly did that in the opening half an hour.
United caused City to panic, pressing them relentlessly and forcing mistakes as the hosts persisted on playing out from the back and falling into traps.
Celin Bizet played a key role, robbing Ouahabi of possession in the build-up to Toone's second goal after the England international had earlier dinked the ball over goalkeeper Keating from a clever Hinata Miyazawa flick.
Galton could barely believe her luck when she was able to poke the ball over the line from a few yards in the 21st minute and striker Terland was frustrated not to add to United's tally.
Missing key players Lauren Hemp, Khadija Shaw and Alex Greenwood through injury, and losing 3-0 at home to their rivals - it was a bleak picture for City.
However, the chaos had only just got started.
Miedema's header five minutes before the break gave City a lifeline and Knaak quickly followed it up in added time to make it 3-2. Suddenly, Taylor's side were back in the game.
As the half-time whistle went, momentum was with City and hope had been restored, although it did not last long.
Keating's clearance was blocked by Terland seconds after the restart and Toone was allowed to slide the ball into an empty net, leaving the England goalkeeper writhing in frustration at yet another error on her part.
Meanwhile, Toone slid on her knees in front of United's supporters and held her arms outstretched in celebration as they chanted her name.
"We managed to get the momentum back to get it 3-2 but then we started in a horrible fashion in the second half which gave all the momentum back to United again," said Taylor afterwards.
"Of course, conceding nine seconds straight into the half is really difficult. We worked hard to get the momentum back and we gave it straight away. We still had good opportunities to score."
It was a perfect return to WSL action for the 25-year-old Toone, having scored in United's 7-0 FA Cup win over West Brom following a two-month absence with a calf injury.
The United academy graduate had not scored against City prior to Sunday's showdown and although the hosts continued to create chances, they could not find a way through the defensive barrier in front of them.
It was a damaging result for City in the title race and they will be desperate to get their injured players back as quickly as possible to ensure their plight does not get worse.
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea | 11 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 36 | 6 | 30 | 31 |
|
| 2 | Arsenal | 11 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 25 | 5 | 20 | 24 |
|
| 3 | Manchester United | 11 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 20 | 5 | 15 | 24 |
|
| 4 | Manchester City | 11 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 23 | 12 | 11 | 22 |
|
| 5 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 11 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 18 | 18 | 0 | 17 |
|
| 6 | Tottenham Hotspur | 11 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 16 | 23 | -7 | 14 |
|
| 7 | Liverpool | 11 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 11 | 18 | -7 | 12 |
|
| 8 | Aston Villa | 11 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 13 | 19 | -6 | 10 |
|
| 9 | Everton | 11 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 17 | -10 | 10 |
|
| 10 | West Ham United | 11 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 24 | -12 | 8 |
|
| 11 | Leicester City | 11 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 14 | -11 | 6 |
|
| 12 | Crystal Palace | 11 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 31 | -23 | 5 |
|
Manager: Gareth Taylor
Formation: 4 - 1 - 3 - 2
Manager: Marc Skinner
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Gareth Taylor
Formation: 4 - 1 - 3 - 2
Manager: Marc Skinner
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
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