MANCHESTER, England — Goalkeeper Khiara Keating summed up the feelings of Manchester City after United’s fourth goal rolled into the back of the net, screaming into the air and falling on the floor. After an end-to-end, five-goal thriller first half, the wind was knocked out of their sails and their chance of a comeback lay in tatters.
Within a minute of play restarting for the second half, Ella Toone, who had never scored in a Women’s Super League (WSL) Manchester derby, completed her hattrick to help United clinch the 4-2 win over City in a title statement at the Etihad.
City had clawed their way back from three goals down — through Vivianne Miedema and new signing Rebecca Knaak — to end the first half 3-2, but a fourth fatal error from Keating prevented Gareth Taylor’s side from finding a way back into the game despite having 45 minutes left to play.
The second half was far less composed as City turned desperate, and United poured everything into defending to retain all three points.
In what could be a damaging defeat for City’s title hopes as they drop to fourth, it could be the spark that powers United’s title charge.
United claim statement win
United had never won away to City in the history of WSL Manchester derbies. In fact, United had only won one of the past 10, that victory coming at Leigh Sports Village in the 2022-23 season. The Red Devils were history makers on Sunday night, however, securing their best result against City and winning away for the first time.
It was a well-fought and earned victory, too, as United kept City subdued and quiet. That said the hosts made it far too easy for their local rivals, with all four of United’s goals coming from City errors and mistakes from Keating.
While United began the game impressively well, starving City of time on the ball and forcing them back into their own half, they also allowed City back in, with the hosts netting twice in the final minutes of the first half.
The cog at the centre of United’s intricate attack was Toone, who completed her hat-trick just seconds after the second half commenced. The England Lioness missed the last portion of 2024 with a calf injury, but after a restful winter break, the 26-year-old seems to be back and firing in full force. Skinner said it’s important that Toone, who also lost her father at the end of 2024 “enjoys football again” and the wide smile at the final whistle proved Toone is doing just that.
All eyes have been on Chelsea, City and Arsenal in the WSL title race in recent seasons, allowing United to fly under the radar in 2024-25. Having only suffered one loss, United have kept the pressure on and are now reaping the rewards of consistency, starting 2025 in the top three.
Keating struggles, Tullis-Joyce prevails between the posts
Sunday’s game was a “disaster class” for Keating, who struggled to contain United’s aggression around goal. If United had been a bit more clinical, Keating could have been looking at a far heavier scoreline. It was early mistakes from the young shot-stopper that allowed the visitors to sneak two goals in the opening 20 minutes, and United’s persistence led to more nervy moments for Keating.
It is a theme that has plagued the 20-year-old for a while. Last season, she was preferred to Ellie Roebuck, who departed in the summer for Barcelona, and while she won the Golden Glove, there was a pattern of struggling to overcome mistakes. A short memory is a skill that will come with time as she grows and matures, but having been dropped for summer signing Ayaka Yamashita, Keating’s confidence may already be in jeopardy. Keating has kept three clean sheets in four WSL games prior to this evening, while Yamashita — who featured more in the crunch Champions League games, too — kept two in her six starts.
Setting Keating’s performance in stark contrast was a masterclass from United shot-stopper Phallon Tullis-Joyce, who only claimed the starting spot after England keeper Mary Earps departed in the summer. The 28-year-old quickly responded to threats, blocking nine of City’s 23 shots and her forward-thinking kept a desperate City from levelling late on.
The eight-year age gap between the two keepers highlights their maturity gap despite having enjoyed similarly glittering careers so far. There is no denying Keating has talent and will grow into a world-class keeper, but her opposite number showed just how far she still has to go.
Signings could come too late for City
Manchester City’s injury crisis continues even after Sunday’s defeat. Missing the golden trio of Lauren Hemp, Khadija “Bunny” Shaw and Alex Greenwood left City lacklustre and missing direction. Fortunately for Gareth Taylor, summer signing Vivianne Miedema returned from her knee injury over the winter break; without her, this could have looked significantly different for the hosts.
Taylor admitted their chances of winning the game were better with Miedema on the pitch, but knew, following her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in December 2022, that she wouldn’t be able to muster a full 90 minutes. After she was withdrawn in the 77th minute, options were limited.
City do still have Chloe Kelly, though that’s a whole other story. According to Taylor, she ruled herself out of the derby due to an ankle injury. Kelly has only made one WSL start this season, being confined to the bench and sparking discussions over a potential loan move. Kelly’s England spot at the upcoming Euros in just over six months’ time is at risk due to a lack of game time, something that Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman has already expressed concern about. Yet City don’t seem eager to play her, nor do they appear open to exploring a loan move for the last six months of her contract.
Meanwhile, City are trying to plug their injury gaps in this window and already added German defender Knaak to bolster the back line. They’ve been linked to potential moves with former North Carolina Courage forward Kerolin and Wolfsburg midfielder Jule Brand, too; however, the fresh faces may come too late.
Sunday’s defeat leaves City in fourth, two points behind City and Arsenal and adrift of Chelsea at the top of the table by nine points. Facing a crucial matchup with reinvigorated Arsenal in two weeks’ time, that could mark the moment at which the title race could slip beyond City’s grasp if they fail to get a result.
Kelly could have had a significant impact on the game, especially given City’s bench was half-filled with academy prospects. The result, risk of slipping out of the title race within the next few weeks and potential delay to integrate their new signings could cause City to rethink their stance on Kelly’s future, and vice versa.
>
