Thank you so much for joining me for this decisive match in the WSL. Chelsea thought they would be celebrating the title win after Angeldahl equalised but United love a late goal and Garcia has sent the title race to the final day! We will have all the updates next weekend so make sure you don’t miss a thing. For now have a read of tonight’s action:
Credit has to go to Man City who went down to 10 just before half-time. To only concede in injury time is impressive. It will be interesting to see the direction of City over the summer – manager Taylor is out of contract. Will he keep his job? If they don’t qualify for the Champions League it will be the first time they don’t in eight season.
Player of the Match Ona Batlle told Sky: “It’s a massive win for us which shows our focus. We are going to go to Liverpool to win. I think we have had this winning feeling often so we are getting used to it! It is an incredible feeling. 100% I am proud of the club, the girls, the staff. We have been good but we still have one more game to go. The fans are our support, at home we feel them and we keep fighting for them.”
So what do Manchester United and Chelsea need to do to win the title? Chelsea just need to win their game against Reading and it is theirs. If United win they need Chelsea to lose or draw. If Chelsea do draw, United will have to win by 6 goals to take the title on goal difference.
Updated
Fair to say United are happy about that top three spot!
Champions League, here we come! 🤩🏆#MUWomen || #UWCL pic.twitter.com/0CVIOmjbxK
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) May 21, 2023
Manchester United have now cemented Champions League football for the first time! They will be playing European football next season. Man City will have to have a huge win next weekend and for Arsenal to lose to get a top three spot.
Here are the second half goals:
MAN UTD HAVE SCORED IN INJURY-TIME!!! 🔴 pic.twitter.com/GfKWh1WgVz
— Sky Sports WSL (@SkySportsWSL) May 21, 2023
I think what is clear is that Manchester United have one thing in their mind, the WSL title. Celebrations after that win aren’t crazy, they aren’t just taking this as a win. It’s the trophy or nothing – as it should be. United are one of the biggest clubs in the WSL now, this season has cemented them as a top four side. Their first win over Arsenal and City so far.
Full-time: Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City
Wow, what a Manchester derby! Garcia will get the plaudits for the winning goal but a shout out has to go to Le Tissier whose expert block stopped Shaw finding the winner first. A first win over Manchester City. A lifeline for the title race. To the final day of the season we go!
90 + 6 min: Boe Risa gives away a free kick and gets a yellow card for a shirt pull, the set piece is deep in the half though. Keating sends it deep but United clear it.
90 + 5 min: And so as things stand the title race will go into the final day! Chelsea may have thought the title would be theirs but United come good again. United are looking for another here, that would put this to bed.
90 + 3 min: Skinner really is so calm there, a goal that has potentially kept them in the WSL title race and he has remained on his seat. Galton has been replaced by Thomas.
GOAL! Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City (Garcia, 90 + 1')
Cool as you like, the sub has United ahead. Blundell whallops it into the box, Boe Risa crosses it and Garcia has it in the back of the net. Marc Skinner calmly claps in his seat.
Updated
90 min: City have a long range free kick after a Zelem challenge, the United captain gets a yellow card. It is whipped in but United stall the threat. There will be six minutes added.
89: Oh my Le Tissier! What a block. The best I’ve seen in a while! Phenomenal play. Shaw looks sure to score but Le Tissier ensure she doesn’t. She has to be on the flight to Australia this summer.
89 min: Kelly crosses it in from the corner, the ball pinballs around and United can’t clear it initially. They eventually get it away.
88 min: The crowd comes to life as Galton has a chance but the defence does really well to clear it. Then Le Tissier expertly closes down Shaw, she wins a corner though. 7, 864 people at Leigh Sports Village.
87 min: If you can’t tell I am on the edge of my seat watching every ball go in! I’m a neutral in this and I’m still so nervous, how are United and City fans feeling? City are now with the ball and trying to create something magic with Angeldahl rocketing a long range shot but Earps collects.
86 min: United’s attack is a little stalled but they still have it, the fans in the stadium not as encouraging as they once were. City’s defence are doing really well here but they have conceded a corner. It comes in and it’s scrambled around the box. It comes to Williams, Batlle whips it but it’s blocked! It comes back in and Turner gets a head to it, Keating catches.
84 min: Williams gives away a free kick on halfway, Houghton will belt this upfield. Jelly collects it and Hasegawa whips it in. Nothing comes of it and possession exchanges hands. Keating clears poorly and United are on the charge.
82 min: Oh my word, Raso was a whisker away from finding a City winner! Kelly whips it in and Raso’s shot is wide. Wow, this game! End-to-end. City have replaced Coombs with Castellanos.
81 min: Kelly does well to steal it away from United in City’s half. But the hosts win it back and Ladd has a shot but it is wide. They need to do something soon if they are to rescue their title hopes. Two saves from Keating as Boe Risa and Garcia have whacks at goal!
79 min: Galton looks in a lot of pain here from that challenge, she is wincing as the doctors treat her. She looks like she is okay to continue, a great sign for United.
78 min: United are on the edge of the box again but Garcia is guided out. City make a change now as Raso comes on for Hemp. Taylor will be really happy with this performance, while a win is what he’d want to come back from a first half red card to equalise is hugely impressive. Galton is down injured after a challenge and Angeldahl has a yellow.
76 min: Galton makes an impressive run and manages to cross it in but no United player is there to pounce. United are throwing everything at this right now, their title hopes are hanging in the balance. The hosts make more changes as Garcia and Boe Risa are on for Toone and Parris. Parris had a phenomenal game.
74 min: Kelly does well to win it in the midfield as City start to take control of this. Possession exchanges hands and it ends with United on the hunt for a winner.
72 min: The ball is whipped in but Keating confidently collects, while the replacement keeper hasn’t had much to do it is still a strong and confident performance so far. The 18-year-old was called into action after roebuck was red carded. Kelly whips it in and Earps saved it! Wow, that was almost in the back of the net.
71 min: United have come to life from the equaliser! Zelem whips it in and Galton has a touch and it’s deflected out! Zelem takes it but it is headed away.
70 min: It won’t only be Manchester City fans who liked that, the Chelsea fans will also be celebrating as if the score stays like this they have won the title!
GOAL! Manchester United 1-1 Manchester City (Angeldahl, 69')
City have a corner and it is belted in bit it’s repelled. Angeldahl crosses it but it goes all the way in!
Updated
68 min: Zelem gives away a free kick but before City take it Russo has been taken off in place of Williams. Greenwood takes it and Shaw almost pounces, she heads it and Earps saves! So close to an equaliser there, wow.
66 min: Hasegawa loses the ball in the midfield and Zelem and Toone create a chance in the box but it has too much on it for Galton to have a shot.
65 min: Russo makes a good run again and she passes to Toone, the England international loses out though with City’s defence quelling the threat. Toone then gives away possession close to City’s box.
63 min: Shaw receiving boos every time she on the ball here, I don’t know why she went down with a good reason! A scrappy game now as possession exchanges hands across the pitch, United eventually come away with it. Blundell pings it in the box but Keating collects.
61 min: Oh my word how has Galton not scored? Russo makes a great run down the right and squares it to Galton but her shot is wide. That should have been in the back of the net.
59 min: Bronze is with Wiegman in the stands here, she is recovering from a knee injury. Shaw is back to her feet, I believe she is okay to continue. If VAR was in operation would that have been a penalty? It think the referee would have had another look for sure.
57 min: Russo is on the charge here but her pass, wanting to find Galton, ends up on Houghton’s boots. City counter, Kelly crosses in and Hemp heads it. Shaw ends up on the floor and they call for a penalty but it isn’t given. She is still on the floor here, she is kicked from Ladd.
56 min: Galton wants a penalty as Parris turns well and lays it off well. Galton gets in the area and Hemp tackles her, they both go down and the referee goes in City’s favour. The visitors are definitely still in this, more than you would expect being a player down.
54 min: It comes in but City deal with it well. This second half has been good from City but they have nothing to show for it so far, United seem to have taken a step back.
52 min: Blundell whips it in but Greenwood heads away, Parris has a shot and Greenwood hits it behind for a corner.
51 min: It’s Greenwood who actually takes it! It’s a great delivery and Kelly gets a head to it and it hits the crossbar! Wow, so close to an equaliser. It comes out for Morgan but she skies it.
50 min: Houghton lofts the ball upfield and Shaw gets a boot to it but Le Tissier clears. Shaw does her best theatrical fall from a Zelem foul and she wins a free kick. Kelly is going to take it.
49 min: City do get it to the box but Turner does well to clear the ball. Galton works the ball well but then she fouls Morgan who wins it back.
47 min: Batlle does well to hit the ball over the head of Shaw but her resulting pass isn’t great and City are back with it. City win a free kick and Greenwood takes it in her own half to a raft of boos from United fans. They take it short and have a lot of work to do to get a goal.
Back underway! Manchester United 1-0 Manchester City
Well can United stay on top and make the most of being a player up? Or will City pull of a famous comeback? The next 45 will determine it. Remember City could still get something here, Georgia Stanway got a red in the derby last year but they got a draw.
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If things stay as they stand the WSL title will be decided on the final weekend of the season. United will have to beat Liverpool to be in a shout. If Chelsea beat Reading the title is theirs, if they draw and United win it will come down to goal difference, which Chelsea currently lead by five.
Here is the red card by Roebuck, for me Parris is onside. Regardless of if she is or isn’t though Roebuck should not be making a challenge like that.
Man City goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck is OFF! 🟥 pic.twitter.com/m6PFv0TBMv
— Sky Sports WSL (@SkySportsWSL) May 21, 2023
Half-time: Manchester United 1-0 Manchester City
Well it has been an eventful first half! United started electrically, Ladd with a screamer of a goal! City started to build into it and then Roebuck was red carded for a silly challenge on Parris. All to play for.
45 + 2 min: interesting point made on social media, they are questioning whether Parris would have been offside anyway. If she was the challenge from Roebuck was even more of a crazy decision.
45 + 1 min: There will be two minutes added here.
45 min: United have a free kick from that Roebuck challenge, Russo over this one. It’s a wasted chance as the set piece goes well wide.
44 min: Keating is coming on, the 18-year-old keeper called upon here. Ouahabi is off – frustrating for a player who did nothing wrong.
44 min: I’m just wondering who will now come off as City will bring on their reserve keeper. Nothing confirmed yet.
RED CARD! Manchester United 1-0 Manchester City (Roebuck, 42')
Russo finds a peach of a pass to Parris and Roebuck completely wipes her out! What a ridiculous decision from Roebuck! She is off.
Updated
42 min: Zelem gives away with ball and Hemp gets it into the box but Shaw can’t quite get to it. Coombs leaves it as she thinks it is going to another City player but Untied pick it up!
41 min: Kelly takes the corner but it is over Houghton. City still have it but they run it back to halfway.
40 min: Kelly pops it into the box and she wins a corner.
39 min: Hasegawa makes a good run to find Hemp who crosses in with a one touch pass. It finds Shaw but she is crowded out in the box. Hemp does well again, this time finding Coombs. It is patient play from City, can they find an equaliser here?
37 min: Hemp loses out to Batlle, the United star one of the brightest on the pitch right now. City do win it back but the United press means they are with Roebuck. Houghton’s pass is given away with United and Parris is through! But her shot is straight at Roebuck. City need to be smarter, sloppy passes are letting them down.
35 min: Shaw gets a foul this time and City can form an attack. It falters all the way back to Roebuck, the pass to her almost intercepted by Russo! That was almost a second for United there, my heart jumped into my mouth!
34 min: Blundell finds Russo on the edge of the box but City crowd her out. The sky blues win it back but United are so clinical in their press they quickly have it back. Possession keeps exchanging hands, the game getting slightly scrappy here – Batlle takes a long range shot but Roebuck easily collects.
32 min: Turner spots Parris in a good position but she can’t remain onside as the pass comes in. Houghton’s clearance kick is straight out and United are on the front foot once again.
30 min: Shaw wanted a foul in the midfield but it isn’t given. A long range pass comes in for Batlle but it has too much on it. Both sides have settled in this now, the earlier franticly positive United start has died down.
28 min: Galton works it into the box and Roebuck should have caught that but Batlle instead wins a corner. Zelem takes the set piece but Greenwood heads away, it comes to Le Tissier who heads it but Roebuck collects.
27 min: City come again looking for that equaliser, United’s early dominance has really worn off. Hemp is brought down by Parris and they have a free kick in a good position. Greenwood takes it short and they run it back to Roebuck. They eventually work it upfield but United do well to win it back.
25 min: City are playing a bit of possession-based football now as they run the ball back to Roebuck. They work it well into the box but Batlle plays it away from Coombs.
23 min: Hemp belts it in but it is blocked, Batlle sees it out for a corner. Greenwood takes this one and she foes short to Coombs but her shot it blocked. It seemed City rushed that set piece a bit.
22 min: Kelly takes the corner kick but Blundell makes a great block, without her I think City score there! The visitors are growing here.
21 min: That is a poor pass from Greenwood, she is being pressed but her clearance kick is straight out of play. City have worked the ball up the well into the box, Shaw’s shot is blocked and then Kelly has a punt that rattles the wood work. Wow! City win a corner.
19 min: Toone wins a corner as United look to pounce on their momentum. Zelem takes it short to Parris, who lays it back to her captain. She belts it in but Galton’s header is wide.
18 min: Parris does really well in a midfield battle to win a free kick, Zelem takes it but Coombs heads away. It comes back to Russo who crosses it back in, Parris keeps it alive but Greenwood does well to quell the threat.
16 min: De Gea watches on in the stands as United continue to perform well in this one. The hosts create another attacking opportunity but Galton is ruled offside. Here is a look at the opening goal:
What a strike from @HayleyLadd! 🚀
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) May 21, 2023
The @ManUtdWomen fans in LSV loved that one 🙌#BarclaysWSL pic.twitter.com/f5sj13BshZ
14 min: Greenwood, the former United player, is being booed every time she is on the ball. Shaw makes a good run and wins a corner. Greenwood takes but Earps confidently comes out and catches.
13 min: The attack ends in a City throw and they can relieve some pressure. City have had a sustained period of possession here, they are yet to build it into a solid chance yet.
11 min: Batlle makes a great run to set up another attack and Parris does well again to turn to keep it in field. Zelem is urged to shoot from far out but United opt for a patient build-up.
10 min: Parris doing well to close down Hasegawa, she is everywhere for United right now! A great stat provided by Sky, when United score first this season they have only not won once – the reverse fixture of this derby which was a draw. Hemp draws a foul and City have a free kick miles away from goal. Greenwood takes it but it can’t find Shaw and Earps collects.
8 min: United have the first corner of the match as City look scrambled! Zelem will take it and it’s over the bar. I’m still reeling from the screamer goal!
6 min: What a performance Parris is having in front of Wiegman, backing up her great effort in the FA Cup final last weekend. Batlle finds Parris on the edge of the box, she fires the ball in and it goes just ahead of Galton.
4 min: Jeez, Roebuck is forced into a save as Parris almost doubles their lead in as many minutes! Wow United are up for this!
4 min: I am honestly stunned, that is one of the best goals I’ve seen in a long time. The build-up, the great Parris play, the fast passes to Ladd who whips it. And here they come again.
GOAL! Manchester United 1-0 Manchester City (Ladd, 2')
I’m stunner, a screamer!! Parris has done expertly well to steal the ball there, wow! She makes a storming run to the edge of the box. It eventually comes to Ladd who slams it home. WOW!
2 min: Man City try and set up an early attack but Kelly is ruled offside. City have had the lionshare of possession so far.
Kick-off! Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City
Here we go! The derby is underway, a potential decider of this WSL season. Can United beat City for the first time ever to make sure they keep themselves in the title race? Or will City boost their Champions League hopes?
Leigh Sports Village is thought to have sold-out for this Manchester derby! United will have them on their side and the roar is loud as they walk out onto the pitch.
Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor is also fully focused on getting the most out of the derby: “We want to be in the Champions League. I am here to deliver the best,” the boss said. “We know we need the three points and that’s what we’ll do. It’s about using what the game brings. There’s no need to instigate fire in their bellies in this one. That comes naturally.”
Marc Skinner is having a nice chat with Sarina Wiegman ahead of kick-off!
Manchester United boss Marc Skinner is backing his side to get the full three points: “I feel that Manchester City, look, they’re tough. Anyone in that bracket can hurt any team within that top part of the table. So I feel that we’ve got to be at our very best. But we believe in ourselves. We believe that we can beat Manchester City. But I’ll be very clear, we have no right to do that.”
A fun fact for you before we dive into what the managers have said ahead of the Manchester derby. Chelsea set a new record for the most consecutive home wins in WSL history today with the victory over Arsenal being their 15th. They are also the only team to ever win all their home matches in a season and have done so for a second time, also achieving the feat last campaign.
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes believes the WSL race will come down to the wire. She said after the Arsenal match: “What you start thinking about is ‘it’s not far until the end’. There was no thought in my mind other than ‘another one to go’. Things might change depending on what happens later [if United fail to beat City] but I expect it to go to the last day.”
Will Unwin is at the stadium for us this evening and has sent over a taster of what it is like to be at Leigh Sports Village: “It is a beautiful day in Leigh for a sold-out Manchester derby. The pub on the corner of the ground is packed with drinkers in red or blue. There is the faintest of hope that United can still win the derby, something City will be desperate to end and bolster their own Champions League ambitions the process.” He has also raised a good point, City have only named five substitutes on their matchday line-up but I cannot see an explanation as to why anywhere. If anyone has the answer email me or tweet!
Catch up with all the action from Chelsea’s win, including a missed Arsenal penalty, here:
Here’s what the WSL table looks like ahead of this clash:
The #BarclaysWSL table before the Manchester derby... 👀 pic.twitter.com/amUGpw7xEX
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) May 21, 2023
I went for a walk on my break just now on this sunny Sunday and thought I’d pop in a shop for some ice cream for this match. I went to get some Ben and Jerry’s cookie dough but it was £6.70! I put it firmly back in the freezer and continued my walk. Crazy price! Let me know what you are up to or your score prediction for this one via Twitter or email.
The relegation battle will come down to the final day as Leicester City failed to wrap up their survival. A win over West Ham would have sealed their top flight spot but they suffered a 2-1 defeat. They will now have to hope they beat Brighton and Reading lose to Chelsea next weekend.
Elsewhere in the WSL, Liverpool and Aston Villa drew 3-3 earlier today and Rachel Daly scored once again for her club. That puts her three goals clear in the Golden Boot race with Man City’s Bunny Shaw hot on her tail.
Rachel Daly’s pushing for that GOLDEN BOOT!
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) May 21, 2023
Another goal added to the tally! 🔥#BarclaysWSL @AVWFCOfficial @RachelDaly3 pic.twitter.com/LVzse3Eezi
The team news is here! Manchester United have named an unchanged starting line-up from their Women’s FA Cup loss to Chelsea last weekend.
United: Earps, Batlle, Blundell, Toone, Zelem, Galton, Ladd, Le Tissier, Turner, Parris, Russo
COME ON UNITED! 🔴⚔️#MUWomen || #WSL
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) May 21, 2023
Manchester City, meanwhile, have made one change from their starting line-up who lost to Liverpool last time out. Ouahabi comes in for Casparji.
City: Roebuck, Morgan, Houghton (C), Greenwood, Ouahabi, Hasegawa, Angeldahl, Coombs, Kelly, Hemp, Shaw
📋 TEAM NEWS 📋
— Man City Women (@ManCityWomen) May 21, 2023
XI | Roebuck, Morgan, Houghton (C), Greenwood, Ouahabi, Hasegawa, Angeldahl, Coombs, Kelly, Hemp, Shaw
SUBS | Keating, Casparij, Castellanos, Raso, Dahou#ManCity | @HaysWorldwide pic.twitter.com/f7UKIRVhPc
Preamble
Hello and welcome to one of the biggest Women’s Super League matches this season. Manchester United host Manchester City in the must-win game for Marc Skinner’s side if they want to remain in the title race. Anything but a win would hand the trophy to Chelsea after Emma Hayes’ side beat Arsenal 2-0 earlier today.
The match will be tense with United looking for their first major trophy and City trying to boost their efforts for a top three finish. It will be tricky for both teams with United having the home advantage but City having history on their side. United have never beaten City since they re-formed in 2018.
If United do get the win they will push the title race to the final day where they would need relegation-worry Reading to topple Chelsea. If Chelsea drew and United won, the title would come down to goal difference which Chelsea currently lead by six.
The team news will be announced shortly so stay tuned ahead of kick-off at 6.45pmBST. What a match we are about to be treated to!
