Lauren Hemp capped off a thrilling 4-2 triumph for Manchester City over Liverpool, helping the defending champions preserve an unbeaten start to their WSL title defence. The match was a roller‑coaster, with City’s long‑standing 13‑match winning streak at the Joie Stadium hanging in the balance until the final minutes.
City entered the game on the back of a record‑equalling home run – 14 consecutive league victories, a feat previously achieved only by Chelsea between September 2019 and January 2021. A win against Arsenal on 4 October would see the Citizens break that record and set a new benchmark for dominance at the Joie Stadium.
The drama unfolded late in the second half. With five minutes of added time on the clock, Liverpool’s captain Grace Fisk inadvertently turned the ball into her own net, giving City a 3‑2 lead. Sensing that a draw was imminent, Liverpool pushed an excess of players forward. In the ensuing chaos, Hemp surged down the right flank, collected a loose ball and calmly slotted it past her former teammate, goalkeeper Khiara Keating, restoring a two‑goal cushion for the hosts.
Hemp’s goal was not only timely but also marked a perfect start to the season for the England international. It was her first strike since November, and it came after a fluid team move that showcased City’s attacking fluency.
The goal was followed by a series of rapid exchanges that kept both sides on edge. Liverpool, however, responded with vigor.
A defensive miscommunication allowed Alice Bergström to fire a powerful shot into the net, putting the Reds ahead. The momentum swung again when Vivien Endemann, who had set up the opening goal, volleyed a superb effort that slipped through Ayaka Yamashita’s outstretched hand, extending Liverpool’s lead to 2‑1. Khadija “Bunny” Shaw, who had already claimed the Golden Boot for a third successive season, continued her prolific run by netting her fourth league goal of the campaign.
After Hemp’s initial attempt was saved by Keating, Shaw pounced on the rebound and tapped the ball home from close range, leveling the score at 2‑2. Shaw’s contribution underlined why retaining her was hailed as City’s most astute piece of business during the summer transfer window. Shaw’s equaliser also saw her surpass Bethany England’s record to become the all‑time leading home scorer in the WSL, with 52 goals to her name.
Moreover, she became the first Manchester City player to find the net in each of the opening three league fixtures of a season, cementing her status as a key figure in the squad’s attacking arsenal. The match ultimately hinged on a series of errors and opportunistic finishes.
In the 90th minute, a mis‑taken clearance by Fisk resulted in an own‑goal that nudged City back into the lead. Five minutes later, Hemp broke away on a counter‑attack, raced past a scrambling Keating and calmly tucked the ball home, sealing a 4‑2 victory for the champions. Post‑match reactions highlighted the significance of the win. Sky Sports analyst Charlotte Marsh noted that, despite the loss, Liverpool had forced the champions to work for every inch on their own turf – a rare achievement given City’s record‑equalling streak at the Joie Stadium.
She praised Liverpool’s resilience, especially considering the club’s recent hardships, including the tragic deaths of former manager Matt Beard and kitman Jon Humble, as well as a spate of injuries that have plagued the side under new boss Gareth Taylor. Marsh also lauded the performances of Liverpool’s newcomers, particularly Endemann, who despite limited WSL experience, displayed composure and veteran‑like confidence, and Bergström, a high‑profile signing from Wolfsburg who added a new dimension to the Reds’ attack. The analysis underscored that Liverpool, for large portions of the game, out‑pressed City, made smarter decisions and exhibited greater confidence. Their late lapses, however, proved costly.
Taylor, nevertheless, expressed satisfaction with his team’s progress, emphasizing that the season’s early setbacks were part of a broader turnaround that began earlier in the year. City’s manager, Andrée Jeglertz, reflected on the difficulty of comparing victories, each possessing its own unique challenges. He highlighted the tactical adjustments required to cope with Liverpool’s changes and praised his squad’s mental fortitude, noting that the players never stopped believing and ultimately emerged as winners.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Hemp admitted that scoring is not a regular occurrence for her, making the late winner all the more special. She appreciated the depth within the squad, which allowed fresh legs to change the game’s dynamics when needed. Jeglertz echoed this sentiment, describing Hemp as an “amazing player” with boundless energy and a genuine love for the sport. Liverpool’s manager, Gareth Taylor, accepted the disappointment of the defeat but remained optimistic.
He highlighted the attacking intent his side displayed, describing it as the style he wants his players to adopt. Taylor acknowledged the quality gap between his side and the champions but pointed out the marked improvement from the previous season, emphasizing that the team’s attitude and application were first‑class. In summary, the 4‑2 win reinforced Manchester City’s position at the summit of the WSL, extending their lead to five points with several games still to play.
Liverpool, meanwhile, remain third, four points behind. The match served as a reminder that even dominant teams can be tested, but City’s depth, experience, and relentless drive ultimately saw them prevail, setting the stage for an exciting title race ahead.