MAN UTD WOMEN 2, MAN CITY WOMEN 2
Manchester United claimed a Champions League spot and denied their neighbours a place in Europe’s elite competition after a dramatic WSL derby at Old Trafford.
More than 30,000 fans witnessed a compelling spectacle of gripping twists and turns as United picked up the point which makes it impossible for City to overhaul them in the battle for third place.
City looked as though they might snatch third spot when they went 2-0 ahead with goals from Laia Aleixandri and Rebecca Knaak.
United hit back with strikes from Grace Clinton and substitute Melvine Malard as they came back from the dead.
The Reds needed to show resilience as they had to play the final 20 minutes with 10 players after Aoife Mannion was sent off for collecting a second booking.
United head coach Marc Skinner was delighted with his side, saying: “To go down 2-0, come back and then go down to 10 players, it feels like a win.
“It secures a Champions League place which is huge for the growth development of this young group – it is a special moment and huge for this football club.
“Manchester United are a club with a big status but the women’s team has a young status.”
Skinner added it will be a big summer for the club which will require added depth to deal with the Champions League where qualifying for the group stage will be their goal.
Nick Cushing, City’s interim head coach, said: “When you are 2-0 up, you should win the game.
“However, I am proud of the performance and character of the team, but we fell below the standards and expectations of Manchester City.
“I was brought in to bring Champions League football and it is painful. It is now about how to find a reaction and solutions which I am confident will happen.”
Cushing added City have delivered trophies consistently over the seven years he was previously involved at the club.
He said: “We were millimetres away from winning the league last season and are not that far away.
“It doesn’t help when you do not have your best players. It has been like trying to complete a jigsaw with a piece always missing.”
There were two changes to the United side from their narrow 1-0 defeat by WSL champions Chelsea. Ella Toone and Elisabeth Terland returned to the starting line-up after being rotated on Wednesday as Malard and Dominique Janssen dropped to the bench.
Cushing made two changes to the side who beat Leicester City in their last match.
Embed from Getty ImagesThey were significant as it was a first start for both England internationals Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood since their returns from injuries.
Lily Murphy and Rebecca Knaak were the ones to drop out.
City suffered an early injury blow as they lost Leila Quahabi inside 10 minutes to be replaced by Rebecca Knaak.
Terland had a goal – a looping head – chalked out for a foul by the striker in the build-up.
City then went close as United keeper Phallin Tullis-Joyce saved well from Brazilian Kerolin and moments later Knaak’s header flashed just wide of the upright.
United were also dealt an injury blow losing Jayde Riviere inside half an hour as she was replaced by Aoife Mannion.
City had another sight at goal as a spectacular effort by Kerstin Casparij from outside the box whistled past the upright.
And the visitors snatched a 38th minute lead after a move which began with a long put forward by keeper Khiara Keating.
The ball was eventually played inside from the left by Hemp for Aleixandri who bent a low shot to the left of keeper Tullis-Joyce.
Hemp had an effort from outside the box acrobatically tipped over by the keeper and from the resulting corner by Yui Hasegawa Knaak was left unmarked to head home at the near post – City’s 11th headed goal of the season.
United halved the deficit in the 45th minute when Clinton powered home a bullet header at the far post from Mannion’s pinpoint cross.
And they were level in the 68th minute through substitute Malard who had only been on the field for five minutes.
Mannion’s cross was headed on by Terland for Malard to burst clean through before slotting a show low past Keating.
There was further drama moments later when United were reduced to 10 players when substitute Mannion was sent off for picking up a second booking.
That asked huge questions of United who defended resolutely and were never seriously threatened in the closing stages.