Laura Coombs’ second half header rescued a point for Manchester City as they recorded a 1-1 draw in their derby clash with Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium this afternoon.
It seemed like an eternity since the first-ever Manchester derby took place in the Barclays Women’s Super League all the way back in September 2019. That game was also the first derby to be staged at the Etihad Stadium and this afternoon, the two halves of Manchester returned to this hallowed turf once more.
It was a fixture that could have huge ramifications for the remainder of the season and both the venue and the audience were worthy of such an occasion. A massive 44,259 fans were in attendance, the highest crowd for a Manchester City women’s fixture in the Barclays Women’s Super League and the second-highest in the history of the competition.
Despite the clash taking place at Manchester City’s main stadium, it was the visiting side who drew first blood. Leah Galton found the breakthrough just before the half-hour mark after being fed in by Ella Toone. An interchange of positions saw the young Lioness hugging the touchline whilst her compatriot ghosted into the middle. Toone fed Galton who had the time and the space to take a shot. Her effort took a cruel deflection off Alex Greenwood which wrong-footed Ellie Roebuck and the ball found its way into the Manchester City net.
The home side came out for the second half knowing that they needed to find a goal from somewhere with more than bragging rights on the line. They duly took the opportunity when it was presented to them. Chloe Kelly was able to dig out a cross from the right-hand side of the pitch. The ball was missed by the Manchester United defence and found its way to Laura Coombs just yards from goal. The Manchester City number seven couldn’t believe her luck as she was left with the simplest of finishes to head her side level.
Both sides had good opportunities to win the match but both Khadija Shaw and Martha Thomas had headers well saved by Mary Earps and Roebuck as the game ended level.
Both clubs will be slightly disappointed not to come away with all three points. Manchester United might be the happier of the two sides as they remain three points ahead of Manchester City going into the Christmas break. It would have been a huge blow for Manchester City if they weren’t able to find the equaliser but that Coombs goal means that they stay very much in the hunt for the UEFA Champions League spots. With both teams expected to strengthen in the January transfer window, it is still all to play for in the Barclays Women’s Super League in the second half of campaign.
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