The Girls’s Tremendous League (WSL) might be handled to the primary Manchester derby of the 2024/25 season this Sunday as Metropolis host United at Etihad Stadium.
Historical past precedes the aggressive popularity of this derby, and Sunday is for certain to be no exception to the rule. As Gareth Taylor’s Cityzens put together to enter the battle with out star forwards Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw and Lauren Hemp, Marc Skinner’s Pink Devils might be desperate to capitalise on the vulnerabilities of their wounded rivals.
Simply two factors separates the 2 Mancunian sides within the WSL league standings, and a victory for United will see them leapfrog their rivals within the WSL. Skinner’s squad might be keen so as to add a strike to their derby tally, having solely reigned victorious as soon as in 9 league conferences.
90min takes a take a look at one of the best Manchester derbies of the WSL forward of Sunday’s epic showdown…
Caroline Weir’s Puskas-nominated derby rocket 🚀 pic.twitter.com/n6YmoHaOVW
— Manchester Metropolis Girls (@ManCityWomen) January 15, 2025
Though this encounter did not herald a plethora of objectives, it marked a historic second within the WSL. Since United’s inception in 2018, this fixture was the primary top-flight derby between the 2 sides.
It was Caroline Weir who broke the impasse for Metropolis with a wonder-strike. The Puskas-nominated purpose rattled the again of the online from a far distance, bringing derby day delight to the blue aspect of Manchester.
WHAT A GOAL. 🤯@TobinHeath has simply lit up the Manchester derby! 🔥#WomensFootballWeekend pic.twitter.com/q0ThgoBoCg
— Barclays Girls’s Tremendous League (@BarclaysWSL) November 14, 2020
Lockdown soccer at it is best, this fixture was a see-saw of occasions. A few of the world’s best stars featured on the bitter November afternoon, together with the likes of Tobin Heath, Sam Mewis, Lucy Bronze and Georgia Stanway.
The Cityzens took an early lead into half time, because of early objectives from Chloe Kelly and Laura Coombs.
It was USWNT legend Heath who struck first for the Pink Devils, because the midfielder despatched a belting strike into the highest of the online from distance. United managed to clinch some extent within the 74th minute, as Kirsty Hanson capitalised on a scuffle within the world to deliver the ultimate rating to 2-2.
A straight pink card for Georgia Stanwaypic.twitter.com/RB72QZPfy3
— BBC Sport Manchester (@BBCRMsport) October 9, 2021
One other 2-2 draw makes the shortlist at Leigh Sports activities Village makes the shortlist in what was an especially heated derby-day encounter.
Georgia Stanway noticed pink within the thirty fifth minute, after what was a poorly timed problem on Leah Galton. The Cityzens managed to grind out a purpose regardless of being right down to 10 gamers, as Bunny Shaw headed dwelling a well-weighted cross from Demi Stokes.
One other purpose from shut vary allowed the Pink Devils to deliver the scores stage because of a tap-in from Lucy Staniforth, simply moments earlier than Alessia Russo clinched the lead simply three minutes later. A superb end from Russo elicited a roar from the house followers, however the rapture didn’t final for lengthy.
Simply 4 minutes later, Metropolis launched ahead on the counterattack and compelled a top-shelf save from Mary Earps. Regardless of her greatest efforts, Ellen White was there to steal the glory as she rattled dwelling the scraps to attract the edges at 2-2.
A sensational end from @lauren__hemp to place us within the lead at Outdated Trafford! 💫 pic.twitter.com/cKLZ65TlPs
— Manchester Metropolis (@ManCity) November 20, 2023
The Theatre of Desires hosted a four-goal thriller within the closing phases of 2024, as Metropolis claimed the Manchester bragging rights as soon as once more.
Katie Zelem would write her title on the scoresheet first, afterAlex Greenwood’s handball awarded United with a penalty. The previous captain slotted dwelling the opener regardless of a great effort from Khiara Keating to get a palm on the strike.
Jill Roord slotted dwelling the equaliser into the bottom-left nook quickly after, and from there, Metropolis drove it dwelling. A fantastic end from Lauren Hemp noticed her rattle the highest nook, earlier than Shaw sealed the deal by capitalising on a Mary Earps blunder within the closing phases.
Rivalry, ambiance, world-class finishes- this sport had all of it.
In added time, @LuciaGarcia17 retains @ManUtdWomen within the title race! 🤩#BarclaysWSL pic.twitter.com/KsnL3luCah
— Barclays Girls’s Tremendous League (@BarclaysWSL) Could 21, 2023
The penultimate weekend of the 2022/23 season introduced excessive stakes for each side of Manchester. United have been desperate to proceed their chase to win the league, while the Cityzens have been chasing third-place and a UEFA Girls’s Champions League place.
An early opener from Hayley Ladd had Pink Devils followers in rapture, earlier than Filippa Angeldal introduced phrases stage within the 68th minute.
A dramatic end wrote itself into the historical past books, as Hannah Blundell flew a cross into the world. Headered down by Vilde Boe Risa, Lucia Garcia picked up the scraps and fired dwelling the winner to color Manchester pink within the 91st minute.
The winner stored United within the title race till the ultimate day, and meant Metropolis would in the end fall wanting European qualification.
