Manchester City extend lead at top of Women’s Super League with thumping win over Manchester United

The league leaders opened the scoring midway through the opening period as Lauren Hemp’s corner was nodded back across goal by Khadija Shaw and headed into the top corner by Rebecca Knaak.

Shaw doubled City’s lead in the 43rd minute, poking home her fifth goal of the season in the 43rd minute following a teasing Kerstin Casparij cross from the right.

City then took the game out of sight in stoppage time of the first half as Hemp fired a thunderous effort into the top left corner from the edge of the area after being found by Casparij. 

Discussing City’s four-point advantage at the top of the table, Hemp told BBC Sport: “It’s so exciting. It’s important we stay humble. We know where we’re at, and we’re in a good place as a team. Hopefully, we’ll continue this run.”

After recovering from an ankle injury in time for the derby, the England international added: “I absolutely loved it. It’s so nice to be back with all the girls. 

“Today, we showed the mentality that we needed to show. We got a clean sheet as well, which is so important for us and, most importantly, we got the three points.”

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The hosts could have opened the scoring on two occasions in the opening five minutes of the game, with Vivianne Miedema’s low strike clipping the outside of the post before Yui Hasegawa’s volley from close range was blocked heroically by Anna Sandberg.  

United’s best chances came in the second period with Jess Park, playing against her former side, catching the outside of the upright from a tight angle, while Maya Le Tissier had a header cleared off the line by Jade Rose.

Knaak, already on a booking, avoided a second yellow after a late challenge on Melvine Malard in the move that led to Park’s effort on goal.

Shaw looked set to make it four when she was played in on goal late on, but after chopping back onto her right foot, she was denied by Safia Middleton-Patel, making her first WSL start.

The striker hit her head on the turf, having been off balance when taking the shot, and was taken off, seemingly as a precaution, moments later.

Khadija Shaw making way after hitting her head on the ground

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The victory was City’s first over their rivals in the WSL since March 2024, having picked up just one point from the two derbies last season.

Andree Jeglertz’s side are now four points clear of Chelsea at the top of the WSL, with the defending champions away at Liverpool on Sunday. 

Since losing against The Blues on the opening day of the season, City have won eight successive games in the league. 

They are on the road against Nottingham Forest in the League Cup next Saturday and, following an international break, return to WSL action with a trip to Leicester City. 

United, meanwhile, remain in third, three points behind Chelsea, and will finish the weekend in fourth if Sunday’s north London derby ends in a win for either side. 

Marc Skinner’s side visit Wolfsburg in the UEFA Women’s Champions League on Wednesday and will look to return to winning ways in the WSL as they host West Ham United in three weeks.