Lauren Hemp bookended Manchester City’s 4-2 triumph over Liverpool, helping the defending champions keep their unbeaten run alive as they launch their campaign to retain the WSL crown. The match seemed on a knife‑edge until the final minute, when City’s 13‑game winning streak at the Joie Stadium was threatened by a late Liverpool surge.
After conceding an equaliser in the first half, City rallied and capitalised on Liverpool’s defensive lapses in the dying moments to clinch the win. The victory also meant City matched Chelsea’s record of 14 consecutive home wins in the league, a benchmark set between September 2019 and January 2021.
A win against Arsenal on 4 October would push the record to an unprecedented 15 straight home victories. In injury time, Liverpool’s captain Grace Fisk inadvertently turned the ball into her own net, giving City a 3-2 lead with five minutes of added time on the clock. Sensing a potential draw, the Reds threw numbers forward, leaving gaps that the electrifying Hemp exploited. She sprinted down the right flank, cut inside and calmly slotted the ball past former teammate Khiara Keating to restore City’s advantage.
Hemp, an England international, had already made her mark earlier in the match by finishing a well‑crafted team move for her first goal of the season. Her second strike, however, proved decisive, sealing a perfect start for the hosts. Liverpool, refusing to go quietly, responded with flair.
A defensive misunderstanding allowed Alice Bergström to unleash a powerful strike, putting the visitors ahead. Shortly after, Vivien Endemann – the creator of City’s opening goal – volleyed a brilliant effort that slipped through Ayaka Yamashita’s outstretched hands, extending Liverpool’s lead. Khadija "Bunny" Shaw continued her pursuit of the Golden Boot, netting her fourth league goal of the campaign to level the score.
After Hemp’s initial shot was saved by Keating, Shaw pounced on the rebound and tapped home from close range. Shaw’s consistency underscores why retaining her was Manchester City’s most astute summer signing. With that equaliser, Shaw surpassed Bethany England to become the all‑time leading home scorer in the WSL, now sitting on 52 goals.
She also became the first City player to find the net in each of the first three league fixtures of a season. The match ultimately hinged on a series of mistakes, but City emerged the better side, extending their cushion at the top of the table to five points with several games remaining this weekend. Liverpool, meanwhile, sit in third place, four points behind the champions.
Sky Sports analyst Charlotte Marsh offered her perspective: "Liverpool may have lost, but they pushed the champions to the limit on their own ground – a feat few have managed, as reflected by City’s record‑equalling run at the Joie Stadium. This Liverpool side is a far cry from the one a year ago. The club has endured tragic losses, including former manager Matt Beard and kitman Jon Humble, and has battled a spate of injuries under new boss Gareth Taylor. Yet the resilience they have shown this season signals a genuine turnaround that began earlier in the year.
"Endemann, despite limited WSL experience, performed like a seasoned veteran, troubling City’s defence alongside newcomers Beta Olsson and Bergström, a superb acquisition from Wolfsburg. For large stretches of the game Liverpool pressed higher, made smarter choices and displayed greater confidence.
Late lapses – perhaps the result of those same decision‑making challenges – cost them dearly, but Taylor can take heart from the progress made after a disastrous previous season. "It took Liverpool twelve games to reach four points last year; they have already hit that mark this season.
If they maintain this trajectory, a top‑half finish – or even better – is within reach." Key moments of the match included: - 13′: Hemp finishes a beautiful team move for her first goal of the season. - 19′: A defensive mix‑up lets Bergström fire home for Liverpool. - 28′: Endemann’s close‑range volley beats Yamashita, putting Liverpool ahead. - 39′: Shaw smashes a shot against the post as City chase a first‑half equaliser.
- 45+2′: Shaw converts a rebound after Keating spills Hemp’s shot. - 60′: Keating makes a crucial save, denying a Shaw effort. - 90′: Fisk’s own‑goal hands City a late lead. - 90+5′: Hemp breaks away and calmly slots past Keating to seal the win.
After the match, Hemp spoke to Sky Sports: "I don’t normally find the net, so it feels great to score, especially that last one when I had a bit of time to think about where to place it. It shows the depth we have in the squad – we needed that energy when we were struggling, and the changes we made paid off." City manager Andree Jeglertz added: "Every victory feels special in its own way.
This game was tough; we knew Liverpool would be a challenge. They altered their tactics, which forced us to adapt. The first half was a bit back‑and‑forth, and we almost gave them two goals, but we created enough chances to finish 4‑2. I’m proud of the group’s mentality – they never stopped believing and kept pushing, and that’s why we came out on top." On Hemp’s performance, Jeglertz praised: "She’s an incredible player, full of energy and love for the game.
Even after an early miss, she kept going and proved she’s a game‑changer." Liverpool boss Gareth Taylor reflected on the defeat: "It’s disappointing to fall short, but I’m pleased with how we attacked. That’s the message I gave the players – we need to keep playing that way and we’ll win more games.
We were up against the champions, and coming from an 11th‑place finish last season, progress won’t happen overnight. The attitude and application from our squad were first‑class, but we need to improve our final actions and finish stronger." Overall, the match highlighted the fine margins that separate victory from defeat in the WSL and reinforced Manchester City’s status as early favourites to retain their title, while Liverpool showed signs of resurgence that could see them climb higher in the standings as the season unfolds.