Compared to the high-drama of Sunday night, Wednesday night’s game was a relatively tepid affair.
Manchester City repaid the favour of their chastening 4-2 league defeat at the Etihad just four days ago by knocking out their cross-town rivals of the Subway Women’s League Cup.
Two first-half goals was enough to ensure City’s progression to the semi-final, where they will play Arsenal next.
It was a special night for 18-year-old Lily Murphy, who assisted the first goal and scored the winner – a wonderful curling effort which beat possibly the most in-form goalkeeper in the women’s game at the moment, Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
‘The goal was really special’, said City’s manager Gareth Taylor. ‘When you contribute like that in a game; for 18 years old, in a derby, it speaks volumes.
‘She’s probably been used a little bit more than we probably think she’s ready for, and that’s no fault of her own, it’s obviously due to the issues we’ve had with some injuries.
‘But she’s got an opportunity this season and in most of the outings she’s had she’s really taken it.’
Laura Coombs opened the scoring for Man City as the visitors went hunting for revenge versus Man United
18-year-old Lily Murphy (centre) enjoyed a special night after assisting Coombs and scoring the winner
It was an otherwise lacklustre game between the derby rivals and decidedly not one for the neutrals, in the words of Man City manager Gareth Taylor
It was an otherwise lacklustre game of football at the frosty Leigh Sports Village – or ‘not one for the purists’ as Taylor reflected – with the majority of the action contained to the first half which saw City take the lead, United draw level before Murphy’s effort on the edge of half-time.
City made three changes to the team that faced United on Sunday, while United made six.
For the hosts, the standout change saw Grace Clinton replace Sunday’s hat-trick hero, Ella Toone, while striker Elisabeth Terland was dropped to the bench for Melvine Malard.
As for City, new signing Kerolin who joined from NWSL side North Carolina Courage started on the bench after the club announced her transfer earlier in the day.
The Brazilian forward is a particularly exciting acquisition for the WSL – she was named the NWSL’S Most Valuable Player in 2022 and 2023 and was in the Brazil team that won a silver medal at the Paris Olympics.
Chloe Kelly, meanwhile, did not travel, fuelling further speculation about a potential move away from the club.
The first-half started slow, with both teams hesitant to make the first move and it was a poor defensive effort from Marc Skinner’s side which led to City’s opener.
Lily Murphy tore into space down the left flank, skimming a low ball into the box, which Maya Le Tissier was unable to deal with, and Laura Coombs was left with an easy tap-in.
Millie Turner nicked an equaliser for Man United but it was quickly cancelled out by the winner
Man City suffered a late scare involving a collision between goalkeeper Khiara Keating and Elisabeth Terland
Taylor will now oversee his side’s preparations ahead of the League Cup semi-final vs Arsenal
A defensive mix up at the back a few minutes later almost led to City’s second. Millie Turner was caught in possession and Mary Fowler nicked it off her feet, threading through a pass for Coombs, who was unable to find the quality to guide it into the back of the net.
And United’s equaliser – a short-range effort from Millie Turner – was cancelled out by Murphy’s winner in the dying moments of the first 45.
The youngster managed to foil Aoife Mannion on the edge of the box, cutting in on to her right foot and sent a delightful curling ball past Tullis-Joyce.
The American goalkeeper trudged off the pitch moments later looking stunned. She has had such a solid season between the sticks since taking over from Mary Earps in the summer, but was bettered here.
The second half continued much as the first had done and both Gareth Taylor and Skinner gave a nod to their respective benches before 15 minutes had passed in an attempt to mix things up, with City bringing on Jill Roord and Jess Park and United Elisabeth Terland and Celin Bizet.
A late collision between City goalkeeper Khiara Keating and Terland – where Keating appeared to take out the striker – could have been given as a penalty, but the referee stuck with her original decision, and play trundled on.
Toone was thrown on for the last few minutes of the game but with the clock ticking down, all City had to do was hang on to their lead. Just revenge, some might say.
