Summary

  • Man Utd move two points behind Chelsea heading into final weekend

  • Man Utd 2-1 Man City - Ladd scores fine effort from distance in second minute before visiting keeper Roebuck is sent off for foul on Parris

  • Kelly twice hits woodwork for City who level through Angeldahl's looping cross before Garcia strikes late on for hosts

  • Chelsea visit Reading and Man Utd travel to Liverpool on final day

  1. Goodbyepublished at 21:45 British Summer Time 21 May 2023

    FT: Man Utd 2-1 Man City

    Another fantastic day in the WSL and with one round of fixtures left, it is still all to play for at both ends of the table!

    Manchester United's dramatic late win means the title race will go down to the final day.

    You can read Jess Anderson's excellent report from an enthralling Manchester derby here.

    Chelsea still lead the way but United are pushing them all the way. Who will come out on top? Join us next Saturday for the conclusion of the WSL season to find out!

    WSL table at end of 21/05/23Image source, BBC/ Getty
  2. 'We could have done with help from the referee'published at 21:41 British Summer Time 21 May 2023

    FT: Man Utd 2-1 Man City

    Manchester City

    More from Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor speaking to Sky Sports: "I think it was a rush of blood to the head for Ellie [Roebuck]. She's come out, hesitated but I would need to see it again. My initial thought was that it was harsh, particularly when there were covering defenders. Maybe the severity of the challenge but obviously it makes it a uphill battle but the attitude and the endeavour from the girls who stayed on the pitch and the girls that came on was there to win the game.

    "We knew today that a draw would have been OK, a defeat is not good. We needed to try and win that game and when you are in that situation and the chips are down, and the game is going against you particularly when you are a player less, we had to go for it and we did so I'm really proud of the girls. Sometimes things don't go your way in life and particularly in football.

    "We could have done with a bit of help from the referee because I'm really surprised that between the officials we can't get that type of decision [Hayley Ladd's tackle on Bunny Shaw].

    "Today I think we have definitely suffered. I think there was another rough challenge in the box on Laura Coombs early on in the first half. Anywhere else on the pitch that would be given. But the one on Bunny Shaw, I have seen it again and it is a stonewall penalty."

  3. Skinner time?published at 21:39 British Summer Time 21 May 2023

    FT: Man Utd 2-1 Man City

    Whether or not United win the title this season, these two stats show this team is developing some very similar traits to a rather successful United team in the men's game.

    If they get anywhere close to that level of success then the other sides in the WSL should be worried...

    • Manchester United have scored 15 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, more than any other team in the WSL this season.
    • Manchester United have scored 12 goals via substitutes in the WSL this season, more than any other team.
  4. 'It's about hunting Chelsea now'published at 21:33 British Summer Time 21 May 2023

    FT: Man Utd 2-1 Man City

    Manchester United

    Manchester United manager Marc Skinner speaking on Sky Sports:

    On the progression of United this season: "There were a lot of doubters last year. But this season we have stayed true to what we want to do. You feel that all the time, I'm human. But the reality is that I am here to do my job, I believe in what I do every single day, I believe in the staff and the players, and this wonderful club. If you do that, if you are in synergy [with one another], then you can achieve absolutely anything.

    For me it is about hunting Chelsea now. We may not have the budget that they have, but I am going to try my hardest, with every single second that I have with this team to now move to first place, that is what I want.

    On change of mindset at the club: "Maybe we have before been guilty of showing too much respect to the teams that have historically finished above us. Tonight before the game I asked the players to disrespect - not the opposing club or players - but the game. For 90 minutes don't over respect the opponent. You saw from the start we were electric and aggressive. I think you can live inside your shell, and this team wants to break out of it. The language you use unlocks the mind, and at the moment it is working.

    Is the season an achievement regardless of next week? "No, no, no - we have one more game to win. Yes we have already made history, broken records, gone to our first Cup final, qualified for the Champions League, but if you settle at that then I am not doing my players the service they deserve. We have 90 minutes left and we are going to give it absolutely everything."

  5. Postpublished at 21:32 British Summer Time 21 May 2023

    FT: Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal

    While Manchester United are understandably jubilant after such a dramatic late win, they are still relying on Chelsea slipping up at Reading next week.

    On the evidence of the Blues' game against Arsenal earlier today, that seems unlikely.

    But Reading are fighting for survival. Chelsea started the season with a shock defeat at newly-promoted Liverpool. Another shock is possible, right?

  6. 'This referee comes up with big decisions that go against us'published at 21:30 British Summer Time 21 May 2023

    FT: Man Utd 2-1 Man City

    Manchester City

    Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor speaking to Sky Sports: "We showed amazing spirit but after we conceded, we were the team that was on the front foot.

    "Had good opportunities, good blocks for them on the line, good saves form Mary [Earps] and then we concede the red card with Ellie [Roebuck] and we had to tweak a few things but the message from us was to still be positive to try and win the game and we did everything we could.

    "We needed a little bit of good fortune and we certainly didn't get it from the referee. It's a stonewall penalty with Bunny Shaw.

    "I don't see that that is in anyone's doubt whatsoever but again, this referee [Rebecca Welch] always seems to come up with decisions, big decisions, first season against Chelsea twice home and way. Big decisions that go against us."

  7. Postpublished at 21:25 British Summer Time 21 May 2023

    FT: Man Utd 2-1 Man City

    Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor is speaking to Sky Sports now and as well as praising the effort of his team, he is decidedly unimpressed with referee Rebecca Welch.

    He thinks City were denied a "stonewall" penalty for a foul on Bunny Shaw in the second half. We'll have more from that interview shortly.

  8. 'Hopefully we can reach the promised land'published at 21:20 British Summer Time 21 May 2023

    FT: Man Utd 2-1 Man City

    Manchester United

    Manchester United manager Marc Skinner speaking on Sky Sports:

    On Maya Le Tissier's performance: "She has come from a team in Brighton that are well drilled defensively but she has come to a team that have the joint-most possession in the league. She has had the ball more than she has ever had it. Her decision making needs a little work, but she has only had a season playing this way. But the defensive side of it, she brings that, and she is super talented. Someone we can build the team around for years to come.

    On Champions League: "I like the sound of it, it sounds really good. We have one more game and we want to continue to push. I have a lot of respect for Matt Beard and Liverpool and what they are doing, but we are going to be at our very best. And why not [ go for the title]? Anything can happen. Our fans have one last outing, and hopefully we can do one last push and reach the promised land.

    On how United can improve: "In lots of areas. We need some experience still, physicality, energy, the right brains at the right moments. We have done that a lot better this year. There may be some players that haven't played as much that may not want to be here any more, so we need to account for that. But this is just the start, we aren't stopping now."

  9. City's Champions League hopes fadepublished at 21:17 British Summer Time 21 May 2023

    FT: Man Utd 2-1 Man City

    Manchester City's Alex Greenwood and Steph Houghton look dejected after the defeat to Man UtdImage source, Reuters

    While United celebrate, defeat for City leaves them needing snookers to finish in the top three.

    They stay three points behind Arsenal with an inferior goal difference.

    A big win over Everton combined with Arsenal losing heavily to Aston Villa could still see them qualify for the Champions League but in all probability, Gareth Taylor's side will have to settle for fourth.

  10. 'This is the most beautiful group I have worked with'published at 21:13 British Summer Time 21 May 2023

    FT: Man Utd 2-1 Man City

    Manchester United

    Manchester United manager Marc Skinner speaking on Sky Sports: "Manchester is definitely red tonight, right? We didn't play well second half, I thought we were electric first half. It's that void that when a team goes down to ten players the gaps are there but you can't find them, and to be fair City pressed very high.

    On choosing which players to leave out of the side: "It is really hard when a manager is not picking you, because it seems like you aren't valued. But now we have the Champions League secured, that's a carrot for them going forward. With one game a week it is hard to give them all a go, but they sacrificed themselves for the team. As a coach it is the mostr beautiful team I have worked with because they do things as a collective.

    On the support from the fans: "They have been incredible this season. Do you know what I think they are starting to expect a late goal now if we need one. For me I had a moment there, it is quite easy with the emotion that has gone into the season, everyone is tiring. I took the time to listen and to hear the voices and the cheers, and to take it all in. For me our fans are totally different to any other, they live and breathe it, and are something special."

  11. Manchester is redpublished at 21:07 British Summer Time 21 May 2023

    FT: Man Utd 2-1 Man City

    "Manchester is red," shouts Marc Skinner to end his team-talk in the on-pitch huddle after the game.

    Speaking to Sky Sports he has just said that his side "never give up" - we saw that today. We'll have full quotes from that interview shortly.

  12. 'We are just focusing on ourselves'published at 21:02 British Summer Time 21 May 2023

    FT: Man Utd 2-1 Man City

    Manchester United

    Manchester United defender Ona Batlle speaking on Sky Sports: "This is a massive win for us, we are just focusing on ourselves and we are just going to go to Liverpool to win.

    "We are getting used to winning but as always it is an incredible feeling. We are always fighting until the last minutes, that is Manchester United."

    "I am proud of the fans, the staff, the girls and we still have one game to go."

    On whether the support from the fans helped: "100 per cent. They are our support and we hear them at home and we keep fighting for them."

    On Hayley Ladd's goal: "We have a lot of people who can score from anywhere so it was a great goal but no it is not a surprise."

  13. 'Anything can happen'published at 21:00 British Summer Time 21 May 2023

    FT: Man Utd 2-1 Man City

    Lindsay Johnson
    Ex-England defender on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Anything can happen next week.

    Reading are battling for survival, it is a massive ask for them to go and beat the defending champions in Chelsea next week.

    For United it's not all straightforward either, they have a Liverpool side who are finishing the season really well. They have to go there next week and hope that Reading can deliver an upset at Chelsea.

  14. Fantastic final weekend to comepublished at 20:57 British Summer Time 21 May 2023

    FT: Man Utd 2-1 Man City

    What a Saturday we have in store next week then. Manchester United are still up against it, two points behind Chelsea, and they travel to play Liverpool.

    But, to paraphrase Kevin Keegan, Chelsea still have to go to Reading and get something.

    I'll tell you, honestly... No, I'll stop. I can't quite see Marc Skinner giving it the "I would love it" treatment but you never know...

  15. 'Brilliant transformation from Man United'published at 20:53 British Summer Time 21 May 2023

    FT: Man Utd 2-1 Man City

    Former England forward Rachel Yankey speaking on Sky Sports: "Manchester United needed to bring something out and they did at the end. It's a massive boost for them, they know they have to win their final game. It's not up to them now.

    "The transformation of Man United has been brilliant. They got to their first FA Cup final and they are possibly a game away from winning the league. You wouldn't have said that a few years ago."

  16. Postpublished at 20:51 British Summer Time 21 May 2023

    FT: Man Utd 2-1 Man City

    Just an incredible end to a match that had everything. Lucia Garcia will rightly get the plaudits for that winning goal but what about Maya Le Tissier's remarkable block at the other end just moments before!?!

    An evening to remember for United.

    Manchester United's Leah Galton and Hannah Blundell celebrate after Lucia Garcia scores their second goal v Man CityImage source, Reuters
  17. 'Man United stood up to the test'published at 20:48 British Summer Time 21 May 2023

    FT: Man Utd 2-1 Man City

    Everton forward Toni Duggan speaking on Sky Sports: "Manchester United stood up to the test today. It was a highly pressured game and they gave it their all and got the points they deserved.

    Now it goes down to the wire and they are in contention to win their first league title."

  18. The winning momentpublished at 20:46 British Summer Time 21 May 2023

    FT: Man Utd 2-1 Man City

    A first WSL win for United over City and what a way to do it!

    Manchester United's Lucia Garcia celebrates scoring their second goal - an injury time winner against Manchester CityImage source, Reuters
  19. 'A game that had absolutely everything'published at 20:44 British Summer Time 21 May 2023

    FT: Man Utd 2-1 Man City

    Lindsay Johnson
    Ex-England defender on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    The game had absolutely everything. It was relentless from the first whistle to the last whistle.

    Both teams gave 110% for the entire game, which we didn't expect with the heat earlier on.

    You could see the desire and the will to win from both teams, even after City went down to 10 players.

    Both teams are going to be really proud of their performances tonight, but clearly huge disappointment for City who miss out on the Champions League next season.

  20. Postpublished at 20:43 British Summer Time 21 May 2023

    FT: Man Utd 2-1 Man City

    Another late, late winner for United and their players celebrate on the pitch at Leigh Sports Village.

    They were a long way from their best in the second half against a City side a player down but they got the job done.

    That's what matters at this stage of the season. Chelsea's celebrations will have to wait.