It’s official! Manchester is once again BLUE. The crowd was out in full force ahead of the Manchester Derby this weekend. 40,086 fans filled the Etihad Stadium to watch what was a dramatic game between two top sides: Manchester City and Manchester United.
The Teams
Manchester City
Keating, Kennedy, Greenwood (C), Coombs, Fowler, Hemp, Ouahabi, Park, Casparij, Shaw, Hasegawa
Substitutes: Maclver, Stokes, Houghton, Kelly, Angeldahl, Morgan, Blindkilde Brown, Mace
Manchester United
Earps, Le Tissier, Blundell, Toone, Zelem (C), Riviere, Naalsund, Garcia, Turner, Parris, Geyse
Substitutes: Tullis-Joyce, Mannion, Guerrero, Malard, Ladd, Evans, Rabjohn, Williams, Aherne
First Half
A late change in the Manchester City line-up saw Alanna Kennedy come in for Aleixandri.
United kicked the game off but the opening 10 minutes were somewhat quiet for a derby of this calibre. Both teams battled hard in the first 30 minutes but neither were able to break the deadlock.
Vital saves from Keating and Earps kept the score level until the 37th minute when City opened the score line. It was superb build up play from City that led to the goal. A great ball in from Ouahabi found Jess Park in the box who struck the ball first time past Mary Earps.
Half time was closing in but City were fired up. Jess Park got her second of the afternoon when she made it 2-0 with a stunning strike from outside the box.
The whistle blew and it was Gareth’s side heading into the changing rooms in the lead.
Second Half
City started the second half full of energy and it wasn’t long before they struck again. Just 2 minutes in, Bunny Shaw made it 3. She is now the all time goal scorer for City with 68 goals, overtaking Georgia Stanway who had 67.
RECORD BREAKER! 😤👏 pic.twitter.com/A5uo5zrYuJ
— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 23, 2024
With City sitting comfortable at 3-0, Manchester United turned on the pressure. A deflection off Casparij saw Blundell’s cross sneak past Khiara Keating at the near post. Despite United’s efforts, it wasn’t enough and the game ended 3-1 to Manchester City.
Up Next
Manchester City now sit top of the table on 43 points and level on goal difference with title rivals Chelsea. Their next fixture is away to Liverpool whilst Manchester United host Everton at the Leigh Sports Village.
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