In a thrilling Women's Super League encounter, Lauren Hemp scored twice as Manchester City maintained their perfect start to the season with a hard-fought 4-2 victory over Liverpool at the Academy Stadium. The defending champions needed a 90th-minute own goal from Grace Fisk to edge past an ever-improving Liverpool side, but Hemp's late fourth goal sealed the win and masked how well the visitors had played.
Hemp Shines as City Extend Winning Run
Lauren Hemp opened the scoring in the first half, latching onto Carlotta Wamser's incisive inside ball and finishing clinically into the far bottom corner. It was her first goal since scoring for England in a victory over... [truncated for brevity]. Hemp's second goal came deep in stoppage time as Liverpool pushed for an equaliser, and she raced clear on the counterattack to make it 4-2.
Match Overview
Manchester City continued their winning start to the new Women's Super League season but were given a real test by a Liverpool side that has improved significantly under manager Gareth Taylor, who was facing his former club. The result ensured City stay top of the table and maintain their 100% winning record.
| Statistic | Manchester City | Liverpool |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 4 | 2 |
| Possession | 58% | 42% |
| Shots on Target | 8 | 5 |
| Corners | 7 | 3 |
Key Takeaways
- Lauren Hemp scored twice, including a late clincher.
- Grace Fisk's own goal proved decisive in the 90th minute.
- Manchester City maintain 100% start to the WSL season.
- Liverpool impressed despite defeat, showing signs of progress.
- City remain top of the table and unbeaten at home under Andrée Jeglertz.
What This Means for the Title Race
With this win, Manchester City have solidified their position at the top of the Women's Super League. They are the only side with a perfect record after three games and will stay top for at least another week. Liverpool, meanwhile, will take heart from a spirited performance that pushed the champions to the limit.