MAN CITY WOMEN 1, MAN UNITED WOMEN 0
A spectacular late goal from substitute Caroline Weir earned Manchester City victory over neighbours United and threw the race for the third Champions League spot wide open.
Weir, the matchwinner in each of City’s last three home Women’s Super League derbies, had only been on the field for six minutes when she struck the decisive blow in front of a crowd of 5,317, a record for the Academy Stadium.
It was Weir’s seventh goal of the season and lifted City to fifth place and two points behind United who occupy the third Champions League spot.
City’s win was deserved as they enjoyed more than two thirds possession and goal attempts were 18-4 in their favour.
A delighted City manager Gareth Taylor said: “It was a dominant performance. We started really well and limited United to very few moments.
“I understand how important the three points are, and it keeps us in the hunt for third place.
“I am delighted for the players. They deserved it because sometimes you don’t get what you deserve
“We had 10 goal attempts in the first half, but only one on target, something we have to improve on.”
United manager Marc Skinner admitted his side was not at its best.
“We were not as fluid as I wanted to us to be. It was a great goal, but it could be avoided,” he said
“As head coach I have to look in tight games and make sure it is 1-0 to us.”
City made three changes from their 1-0 defeat by Chelsea seven days ago as Australia defender Alanna Kennedy, Spain midfielder Vicky Losada and England striker Ellen White all started.
Ruby Mace, Caroline Weir and Khadija Shaw dropped to the bench, while City’s England skipper Steph Houghton remained out with an Achilles injury.
There was a key absence for United as Leah Galton, the WSL’s Player of the Month for January, missed out, presumably with an injury. Norway’s Vilde Boe Risa taking her place in United’s sole change from their 1-1 draw with Arsenal.
City could have been two goals ahead inside seven minutes.
Vicky Losada volleyed narrowly over while Lauren Hemp had one of the most glaring misses of all time, shooting over from three yards following a low cross by Jess Park when she looked certain to add to her 10 goals for the season.
Hemp was having a frustrating afternoon seeing a header loop just over and directed another directly at goalkeeper Mary Earps while Ellen White also failed to hit the target with two headers in a one-sided opening period in which they had 70 per cent possession and 10 goal attempts to City’s two.
Park came close to breaking the deadlock on the hour, cutting in from the right before being denied by the upright.
That was quickly followed by United’s best chance of the match as Ella Toone forced a decent diving save from Ellie Roebuck who also beat out Signe Bruun’s follow-up effort.
With the game heading towards a goalless stalemate, substitute Weir made the decisive breakthrough with nine minutes left.
Weir robbed Katie Zelem before making a weaving run chipping Earps from 25 yards into the top corner.