Lauren Hemp bookended a 4-2 victory for Manchester City against Liverpool as the WSL champions maintained a winning start to their title defence. But up until the 90th minute, that record and their 13-match winning run at the Joie Stadium were in serious jeopardy. Man City had to fight back to equalise in the first half before some late errors from Liverpool were taken advantage of.
Man City have equalled Chelsea's winning home run in the WSL (14), which the Blues set between September 2019 and January 2021. If they win their next home league game against Arsenal on Sunday October 4, they will set a new record. An own goal from Reds captain Grace Fisk put the hosts 3-2 ahead as five minutes of added time were shown.
Sensing a draw in the offing, Liverpool committed too many bodies forward, allowing the electric Hemp to speed down the field and slot home past former teammate Khiara Keating. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player The England international had made it a perfect start for the hosts too when she finished off a fine team move for her first goal since November. But Liverpool responded brilliantly and took a deserved lead.
A defensive mix-up allowed Alice Bergstrom to fire home, before Vivien Endermann - who set up the first goal - volleyed in a wonderful effort that fizzed through Ayaka Yamashita's outstretched hand. Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw's early play for a third successive Golden Boot continued too as she scored her fourth WSL goal of the season to level. Keating spilled a save from Hemp's initial shot with Shaw there to poke home from close range.
It demonstrated once again why keeping Shaw at the club was Man City's best business of the summer. Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw has now scored the most home goals in WSL history, currently on 52 goals after her equaliser against Liverpool, overtaking Bethany England. She is also the first Man City player to score in the opening three WSL matches of a season.
In a game where errors decided the outcome, it was Man City who came off the better and extended their lead at the top of the table to five points ahead of the remaining games this weekend. Liverpool, meanwhile, remain third with four points. 13: GOAL! A wonderful team move is finished by Hemp for her first goal of the season. 19: GOAL!
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