The best Manchester derbies in WSL history

The Women’s Super League (WSL) will have its first Manchester derby of the 2024/25 season this Sunday, with City hosting United at the Etihad Stadium.

History precedes this derby’s competitive reputation, and Sunday will surely be no exception to the rule. Like Gareth Taylor Citizens of the city prepare to go into battle without star strikers Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw and Lauren Hemp, Marc Skinner’s Red Devils will be eager to exploit the vulnerabilities of their wounded rivals.

Only two points separate the two Mancunian sides in the WSL league standings and victory for United will see them leapfrog their rivals in the WSL. Skinner’s side will be eager to add a goal to their derby, having won just once in nine league matches.

90 min brings a look at the WSL’s best Manchester derbies ahead of Sunday’s epic showdown…

Although this matchup did not produce many goals, it marked a historic moment in the WSL. Since United’s inception in 2018, this meeting was the first top-flight derby between the two teams.

It was Caroline Weir who broke the deadlock for City with a wonder strike. A goal nominated by Puskas rattled the net from long range, bringing derby delight to the blue side of Manchester.

Indoor football at its best, this game was a seesaw of events. Some of the world’s biggest stars performed on the bitter November afternoon, including Tobin Heath, Sam Mewis, Lucy Bronze and Georgia Stanway.

Cityzens took the lead early in the half, thanks to early goals from Chloe Kelly and Laura Coombs.

USWNT legend Heath scored first for the Red Devils, after the midfielder sent a dangerous shot into the top of the net from distance. United managed to grab a point in the 74th minute, Kirsty Hanson taking advantage of a scuffle inside the pitch to bring the final score to 2-2.

Another 2-2 draw makes the shortlist at Leigh Sports Village shortlisted in an extremely hotly contested derby day encounter.

Georgia Stanway saw red in the 35th minute after a poorly timed tackle on Leah Galton. The Cityzens managed to score despite being reduced to 10 men, as Bunny Shaw headed in Demi Stokes’ well-timed cross.

Another close range goal allowed the Red Devils to level the scores thanks to a pass from Lucy Staniforth, just moments before Alessia Russo took the lead just three minutes later. Russo’s great finish caused a storm among the local fans, but the enthusiasm did not last long.

Just four minutes later, City went forward on the counter-attack and forced a top-shelf Mary Earps save. Despite her best efforts, Ellen White was there to steal the glory as she rattled in a goal to draw the sides level at 2-2.

The Theater of Dreams hosted a four-goal thriller in the 2024 final as City reclaimed Manchester bragging rights.

Katie Zelem would be the first to get her name on the scoresheet, after Alex Greenwood handballed United for a penalty. The former captain struck to open the scoring despite a good effort from Khiare Keating to gain an attacking advantage.

Jill Roord fired the equalizer into the bottom left corner soon after, and City struck from there. Lauren Hemp’s wonderful finish saw her rattle the top corner, before Shaw sealed the deal by capitalizing on a mistake by Mary Earps in the closing stages.

Rivalry, atmosphere, world class endings – this game had it all.

Penultimate weekend of the 2022/23 season. he brought high stakes for both Manchester teams. United were keen to continue their pursuit of the league title, while the Cityzens were chasing third place and a spot in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Hayley Ladd’s early opener delighted the Red Devils fans, before Filippa Angeldal leveled the score in the 68th minute.

The dramatic finish went down in the history books as Hannah Blundell flew a cross into the area. Headed by Vilde Boe Ris, Lucia Garcia picked up the scraps and slotted home the winner to put Manchester in red in the 91st minute.

The winner kept United in the title race until the final day, meaning City would ultimately fail to qualify for Europe.

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