Caroline Weir nets sensational chip to add to strikes from Lucy Bronze and Lauren Hemp as Gareth Taylor's side take bragging rights in Manchester Derby and close the gap on WSL leaders Chelsea

  • Manchester City have closed the gap on Chelsea in the Women's Super League 
  • Lucy Bronze struck in the first half after poor defending from Manchester United
  • Lauren Hemp doubled the hosts' advantage to put the game beyond the visitors 
  • Caroline Weir rounded off the victory with a sensational chip over Mary Earps 
  • Friday's win moves Gareth Taylor's side within two points of Emma Hayes' side 

Manchester City continued their impressive form with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Manchester United that sees them climb above their rivals into second place in the Women's Super League.

Lucy Bronze put the hosts ahead in the first half before Lauren Hemp and Caroline Weir wrapped up victory with second-half strikes as City recorded a seventh successive league win.

ADVERTISEMENT

After a cagey start at the Manchester City Academy Stadium, England star Bronze gave the hosts the lead in the 23rd minute with a powerful shot into the bottom-right corner after United failed to clear a corner.

Caroline Weir scored a sensational chip as Man City earned bragging rights over Man United
City were in rampant mood as Gareth Taylor's side put three past their local rivals on Friday
The win sees City pull away from their local rivals and reduce the gap to Chelsea by two points

MATCH FACTS

Manchester City: Roebuck; Bronze, Houghton, Dahlkemper, Greenwood; Stanway, Walsh, Weir; Kelly, White, Hemp

Subs not used: Bardsley, Beckie, Coombs, Davies, Lavelle, Mannion, Morgan, Park, Taieb

Scorers: Bronze (26), Hemp (71), Weir (84)

Booked: Greenwood

Manager: Gareth Taylor

Manchester United: Earps; Batlle, Turner, Turner, Thorisdottir; Ladd (Sigsworth 70), Zelem; Galton (Hanson 45), Groenen, Toone; Press

Subs not used: Bentley, Bourne, Fuso, Harris, Jones, Ross

Scorers: None

Booked: Ladd

Manager: Casey Stoney

ADVERTISEMENT

Although the Reds mounted a decent response, most notably through a shot from Hayley Ladd that went just wide of the far post, the Blues were able to maintain their 1-0 advantage going into half-time.

Show Player

United pushed for an equaliser after the break with striker Christen Press trying her luck on a number of occasions, but they could not get back on terms and City secured the points with two more goals in the final 19 minutes.

England forward Hemp doubled the Blues' lead in the 71st minute before Scotland international Weir made the game safe with a stunning chip from the edge of the box in the 84th minute.

Victory sees City move a point above United - and two points behind leaders Chelsea - while still boasting a game in hand over their local rivals. 

 

City's Abby Dahlkemper looks to keep the ball from Manchester United attacker Ella Tone
Lauren Hemp accelerates away from Maria Thorisdottir at the Man City Football Academy
Christian Press' shot is blocked by goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck as United searched for a leveller
Leah Galton gets the better of England international Bronze but fails to make the chance count