Lauren Hemp capped off a dramatic 4-2 triumph for Manchester City over Liverpool, helping the defending WSL champions preserve a flawless opening to their title defence. The match, played at the Joie Stadium, saw City cling to a 13‑game home winning streak that was threatened until the final minutes.
After falling behind twice, City rallied, with Hemp delivering a decisive strike in stoppage time to restore the lead and seal the victory. The win also saw City match Chelsea's record of 14 consecutive home wins in the league, a benchmark set between September 2019 and January 2021. A forthcoming home fixture against Arsenal on 4 October offers the chance to break that record and cement City’s dominance at the Joie Stadium.
The drama unfolded when Liverpool’s captain Grace Fisk inadvertently turned the ball into her own net during five minutes of added time, giving City a 3-2 advantage. Sensing a potential draw, Liverpool pushed a high defensive line, leaving space for the electrifying Hemp to sprint down the flank. She calmly slotted the ball past her former teammate, goalkeeper Khiara Keating, restoring City’s lead.
Hemp, an England international, had already opened her scoring account for the season earlier in the match. Her first goal came after a well‑executed team move, showcasing her ability to finish chances as well as create them. The English forward’s composure under pressure highlighted why she is regarded as one of the league’s most versatile attackers. Liverpool, however, responded with flair.
A defensive lapse allowed Alice Bergström to fire home, and shortly after, Vivien Endemann—who had supplied the assist for the opening goal—volleyed a stunning strike that slipped through Ayaka Yamashita’s outstretched hand. These moments demonstrated Liverpool’s resilience and their capacity to threaten City’s defence despite being the visiting side.
Khadija "Bunny" Shaw continued her prolific form, scoring her fourth WSL goal of the campaign to level the score at 2-2. After Hemp’s initial shot was saved by Keating, Shaw pounced on the rebound and tapped the ball home from close range. Shaw’s contribution underlined why retaining her was a shrewd summer signing for City; she has now become the all‑time leading home scorer in the WSL with 52 goals, surpassing Bethany England, and she is the first City player to find the net in each of the first three league matches of a season.
The match ultimately hinged on a series of errors and opportunistic finishes. City’s ability to capitalize on Liverpool’s defensive missteps allowed them to extend their lead at the top of the table to five points, while Liverpool remain third, four points behind.
Sky Sports analyst Charlotte Marsh praised Liverpool’s effort, noting that few teams have pushed the champions so hard on their own ground. She highlighted the club’s recent hardships—including the tragic loss of former manager Matt Beard and kitman Jon Humble, as well as a spate of injuries—but also commended the progress made under new manager Gareth Taylor. Marsh also lauded the performances of Liverpool newcomers such as Endemann, who displayed veteran‑like composure despite limited WSL experience, and Bergström, a high‑profile acquisition from Wolfsburg who added depth to the Reds’ attack.
She observed that Liverpool often out‑pressed City, made better decisions, and showed greater confidence for large portions of the game. Their late defensive lapses, however, proved costly.
Key moments of the match can be summarised as follows: - 13′ – Hemp finishes a beautiful team move for her first goal of the season. - 19′ – A defensive mix‑up allows Bergström to slot home for Liverpool. - 28′ – Endemann’s close‑range effort beats Yamashita, putting Liverpool ahead.
- 39′ – Shaw smashes the woodwork as City search for a first‑half equaliser. - 45+2′ – Shaw converts a rebound after Keating spills Hemp’s shot.
- 60′ – Keating makes a crucial save, denying Shaw a second goal. - 90′ – An own‑goal by Fisk hands City a late lead.
- 90+5′ – Hemp breaks away and calmly finishes past Keating to seal the win. In post‑match interviews, Hemp expressed delight at getting on the scoresheet, especially with the winning goal. "I don’t usually score, so it feels great to contribute, particularly with the last strike when I had a lot of time on the ball," she said. She also praised the squad’s depth and the energy that turned the tide in City’s favour.
Manager Andree Jeglertz reflected on the victory, acknowledging the difficulty of comparing wins but emphasising the team’s resilience. "It was a tough game, and we knew it would be challenging. Liverpool made adjustments that forced us to adapt, but we created enough chances to score four goals. The mentality of the group was outstanding—they never stopped believing," he explained.
Jeglertz also singled out Hemp’s impact, calling her "an amazing player" with boundless energy and a knack for changing games. He highlighted her perseverance after an early missed chance, noting that her attitude exemplified the team’s spirit.
Liverpool boss Gareth Taylor accepted responsibility for the defeat, praising his side’s attacking intent. "We were disappointing in the end, but the way we played was exactly what I wanted—aggressive, forward‑thinking football," he said. He acknowledged the quality gap between his side and the champions, noting that Liverpool finished 11th last season and that progress would take time.
Still, he was encouraged by the players’ improved attitude and the belief that continued development could lead to higher finishes in future seasons. Overall, the encounter showcased the fine margins that separate victory from defeat in the WSL. City’s ability to seize Liverpool’s mistakes, combined with Hemp’s late heroics, ensured they kept their perfect start intact and moved a step closer to a historic home‑win record.
Meanwhile, Liverpool demonstrated they can challenge the league’s elite, offering hope that their rebuilding project under Taylor is bearing fruit.