Jess Park produced an impressive show as Manchester City beat rivals Manchester United to maintain up their Women’s Super League title chase.
England ahead Park, 22, scored twice and assisted one for Khadija Shaw as City brushed aside their neighbours at Etihad Stadium to maneuver three factors away from Chelsea on the prime of the desk for at the very least a day.
United’s hopes of qualifying for subsequent season’s Champions League have all however evaporated with the defeat as they path third-placed Arsenal by six factors, with the Gunners nonetheless to play Aston Villa on Sunday.
It was a harmful afternoon for United not simply when it comes to the consequence but additionally for his or her pleasure as rivals City, although not at their greatest, have been ruthless in entrance of aim and left the Etihad as comfy winners.
Park’s opener ought to have been dominated out for offside by Shaw within the build-up but it surely was allowed to face within the absence of a video assistant referee, as the midfielder volleyed house Leila Ouahabi’s cross.
She doubled City’s lead eight minutes later – celebrating in entrance of United’s away followers within the nook on each events – and inside seconds of the restart slid a move by for Shaw to put her effort previous goalkeeper Mary Earps.
Shaw’s aim noticed her overtake England midfielder Georgia Stanway as City’s all-time file scorer within the WSL period with 68 objectives.
United responded later within the second half when Hannah Blundell’s cross was deflected into the far nook by City defender Kerstin Casparij, however the guests couldn’t get again into the sport.
City, who’re chasing a primary WSL title since 2016, have equalled Chelsea’s aim distinction, however Emma Hayes’ facet will return to the highest on Sunday in the event that they beat West Ham.
Park masterclass offers main setback to United
With England supervisor Sarina Wiegman among the many 40,086 watching on, Park loved a vastly profitable afternoon in Manchester.
The midfielder, now an everyday in City’s facet following the anterior cruciate ligament damage to record-signing Jill Roord, proved her credentials as one of many nation’s most enjoyable abilities with a mature show.
She compelled a powerful save out of goalkeeper Earps halfway by the primary half after United had threatened, with Brazilian Geyse getting the higher of Ouahabi down the right-hand facet.
Chances had come and gone for the guests – Nikita Parris was denied by Khiara Keating earlier than Geyse stabbed extensive – and Park’s strike from distance was the primary actual alternative for City.
That was the catalyst Gareth Taylor’s facet wanted they usually started to settle, testing Earps once more by Yui Hasegawa earlier than Park’s fast double put them within the driving seat.
United’s frustration at Shaw’s position in Park’s opener was justified however the Jamaican had a aim disallowed for offside moments later when she poked in a deflected rebound.
Shaw, who had earlier gone down claiming a foul from Blundell, with the United defender already on a yellow card, scored her record-breaking aim firstly of the second half as she produced a cool end.
United, to their credit score, didn’t hand over within the second half however they’d left themselves an excessive amount of to do and whereas City should wait to see Chelsea’s response on Sunday, Marc Skinner’s facet will probably be hoping fifth-placed Liverpool do not overtake them.
It is the most recent blow in a disappointing marketing campaign for United, whereas City look an increasing number of able to ending Chelsea’s WSL dominance.
Line-ups
Man City Women
Formation 4-3-3
- 35Keating
- 18Casparij
- 33Kennedy
- 5Greenwood
- 15OuahabiSubstituted forMorganat 87′minutes
- 16Park
- 25Hasegawa
- 7CoombsSubstituted forAngeldahlat 83′minutes
- 8Fowler
- 21Shaw
- 11Hemp
Substitutes
- 3Stokes
- 6Houghton
- 9Kelly
- 12Angeldahl
- 14Morgan
- 17Pritchard
- 19Blindkilde Brown
- 22MacIver
- 30Mace
Man Utd Women
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 27Earps
- 14RiviereSubstituted forMannionat 57′minutes
- 4Le Tissier
- 21Turner
- 6BlundellBooked at 21mins
- 10Zelem
- 16Naalsund
- 23da Silva FerreiraBooked at 90mins
- 7TooneSubstituted forMalardat 85′minutes
- 17García
- 22ParrisSubstituted forWilliamsat 58′minutes
Substitutes
- 5Mannion
- 8Guerrero
- 9Malard
- 12Ladd
- 15Evans
- 25Rabjohn
- 28Williams
- 36Aherne
- 91Tullis-Joyce
- Referee:
- Abigail Byrne
- Attendance:
- 40,086
Live Text
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Match ends, Manchester City Women 3, Manchester United Women 1.
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Second Half ends, Manchester City Women 3, Manchester United Women 1.
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Attempt missed. Khadija Shaw (Manchester City Women) proper footed shot from the centre of the field misses to the left. Assisted by Mary Fowler.
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Filippa Angeldahl (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick within the defensive half.
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Foul by Rachel Williams (Manchester United Women).
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Foul by Khadija Shaw (Manchester City Women).
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Katie Zelem (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick within the defensive half.
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Offside, Manchester United Women. Millie Turner is caught offside.
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Attempt saved. Millie Turner (Manchester United Women) header from the centre of the field is saved within the backside proper nook. Assisted by Maya Le Tissier with a cross.
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Corner, Manchester United Women. Conceded by Alanna Kennedy.
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Geyse (Manchester United Women) is proven the yellow card for a foul foul.
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Lauren Hemp (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Geyse (Manchester United Women).
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Kerstin Casparij (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick within the defensive half.
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Foul by Rachel Williams (Manchester United Women).
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Lauren Hemp (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick within the defensive half.
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Foul by Melvine Malard (Manchester United Women).
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Substitution, Manchester City Women. Esme Morgan replaces Leila Ouahabi.
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Hand ball by Rachel Williams (Manchester United Women).
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Corner, Manchester United Women. Conceded by Leila Ouahabi.