Manchester turns blue as Jegerletz’s City top the table
Manchester City Women ran riot at the Etihad Stadium in the Manchester derby, with goals from Rebecca Knaak, Khadija Bunny Shaw, and Lauren Hemp sealing the win.
The Cityzens were looking to add to their winning streak after a solid start in the Barclays Women's Super League with twenty-one points, leaving them close to title holders, Chelsea at the top of the table. City are in fine form, having won against Everton last weekend.
Manchester United, however, headed into the game with mixed results: with three wins, two draws and one loss after losing to Aston Villa last time out, leaving them third. United lost to Villa in their previous match, with Miri Taylor scoring the only goal of the game.
City forward, Hemp started after returning from injury, while United’s goalkeeper, Phallon Tullis-Joyce was sidelined due to a fractured eye socket following concussion protocol.
Young goalkeeper, Safia Middleton-Patel took her place for the Reds, having impressed in the team’s midweek Champions League match, with Jayde Rivière in defence.
The match also marked the first time Grace Clinton and Jess Park faced each other after a Manchester club swap, with Park clinical in midfield for the Reds so far this season.
City took advantage of title challengers: Chelsea, Arsenal and United to move to the top of the table last time the sides met and have only failed to score in one of their last forty-six matches in the WSL (a 2-0 loss away at Chelsea last year).
Build up
Lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, City relied heavily on their midfield and defence. Yui Hasegawa and Shaw were crucial, with Shaw, the league’s top goalscorer this season, and Hasegawa, a consistently creative playmaker, anchoring the team.
Vivianne Miedema also provided strength in attack, while Kerstin Casparij and Iman Beney were important players to watch on the flanks.
United set up in a 4-1-4-1, looking to control the game from the back and press from the front. Maya Le Tissier and Anna Sandberg led a disciplined defensive line, with Rivière and Elisabeth Terland adding width and work rate. Toone operated in front, helping the team to drive United’s attacking transitions.
There was a special moment before kick-off, as the Manchester City Women’s Official Supporters’ Club celebrated ahead of their tenth anniversary later this month.
First half
It was a strong start by City, the team determined to break through the United defence. Goalkeeper, Middleton-Patel was called into action early, making a comfortable save.
City continued to push forward, creating several close-range chances, but United held firm and blocked a dangerous free-kick opportunity. United also managed a close shot of their own, but it was easily dealt with by City keeper, Ayaka Yamashita.
Andrée Jegerletz’s side looked the stronger team throughout the match but were unable to convert their chances. United also struggled in front of goal, failing to finish opportunities when they appeared. Sandberg seemed isolated pushing in attack at times, unable to get much support from her teammates.
The rival clubs continued to push forward with intensity. Casparij delivered a lovely ball into the box, but United’s defence dealt with it comfortably. City kept pressing, with a close chase out wide as they tried to force a breakthrough and take the lead.
Shaw made a driving run but was brought down by a United defender, earning the foul. Despite earlier difficulties, Sandberg began to look stronger as the match progressed, helping to stabilise play and clear up dangerous situations.
City did not find their breakthrough until the 26th minute, with Shaw gliding through the United defence, creating an open opportunity for Rebecca Knaak from close range. It was an easy finish for her, as a corner from Hemp was curled to the back post for Shaw to nod back across, leaving Knaak with the simplest of tasks to head the ball into the top corner of the net. Her record of scoring in Manchester Derbies continues: three headed goals in three.
The Cityzens were in full control as United struggled to find an equaliser. Marc Skinner’s side tried to respond from a corner, but it was easily saved into Yamashita’s hands. They continued to press, looking for a breakthrough, but City remained the stronger side, powering forward and creating more opportunities.
United looked tired, misplacing passes and losing opportunities, as an open-goal chance was converted as Casparij slipped a cross to Shaw, who slotted it home effortlessly, making it 2-0.
In the final five minutes of the half, City continued to dominate. They came close to scoring again, with a shot just going wide. However, a long-range strike from Casparij, set up by a precise pass from Hemp, found the top corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. Shaw continued to test the United backline but was repeatedly clipped and stopped by defenders. The half ended with City comfortably in control, leading 3–0.
Half-time score: Manchester City 3-0 Manchester United.
Second half
United tried to pull one back early in the second half, but their efforts were easily dealt with by Yamashita. Melvine Malard, who impressed in United’s UEFA Women’s Champions League victory against Paris-Saint Germain, came on the pitch as a substitute but struggled to influence the game.
United missed several chances and needed to be more threatening in attack, while City struggled to polish their finishing with several shots mishit.
Malard went for goal but was caught offside. Shaw had an overhead attempt from long range, while Jess Park’s effort was saved by Yamashita after a well-placed cross. City also struggled to convert their attempts, and long-range efforts from Hemp and others went just wide.
Switzerland international, Iman Beney was introduced from the bench to try and make an impact, while Shaw had an open-goal opportunity that was saved by Middleton-Patel before going down. Clinton came on in place of Shaw, facing her former club for the first time in a City shirt. Hasegawa’s shot was easily saved by the United keeper, while Simi Awujo’s long-range effort sailed over the net.
In the final seven minutes plus stoppage time, United still could not find a way through and were unable to finish any chances. City had a last-minute opportunity out wide, but it went past the goal. Whilst a more positive second half from Skinner’s side prevented City from netting more, Jegerletz’s tactical execution impressed with a solid performance from his Blue side.
Vivianne Miedema was named as the Supporters’ Player of the Match (SPOTM) for her contributions throughout the match.
Final score: Manchester City 3-0 Manchester United.
Post-Match
Manchester City defender Kerstin Casparji spoke on captaining her side to victory and maintaining momentum in upcoming fixtures, now her club are at the top of the WSL for the first time this season:
"We feel great and very confident. Overall, we’re very happy with how we’re playing and performing.
Of course, we wanted to come away with the win today, and everyone is pleased with our performance. We want to keep this momentum going, keep winning games, and carry it into next week."
Goalscorer Lauren Hemp also commented on the match, speaking about the importance of staying grounded in a promising position so early on in the season:
“For sure, we could be more clinical, but obviously, we won 3-0 today, so we scored enough goals.
It’s important that we stay consistent and don’t get complacent about where we are. We’re going to work hard every week and take each game as it comes.”
What's next?
With the upcoming Subway Women’s League Cup and international fixtures, the WSL will break until December. Then Manchester City will face Leicester at the King Power Stadium on the 7th (12:00 KO BST), while United are set to host West Ham.
Jegerletz’s side play in the League Cup next weekend, travelling to Nottingham for their fixture against Nottingham Forest next Saturday (14:00 KO BST).
Manchester United return to the Champions League when they face Wolfsburg in their toughest test yet on Wednesday, 19 November (17:45 KO BST).