Lauren Hemp capped off a thrilling 4-2 triumph over Liverpool, helping Manchester City preserve a flawless start to their Women’s Super League title defence. The match, which saw the defending champions fend off a late surge from the Reds, highlighted City’s resilience and underscored Hemp’s growing influence on the pitch.
For most of the game, City’s impressive record – a 13‑match winning streak at the Joie Stadium – seemed under serious threat. The hosts were forced to scramble for an equaliser in the first half after Liverpool took an early lead. By the 90th minute, the game hung in the balance, but a series of Liverpool errors in stoppage time opened the door for City to clinch the win. City’s recent form now mirrors Chelsea’s historic home run of 14 consecutive wins, a benchmark set between September 2019 and January 2021.
Should they defeat Arsenal at home on 4 October, they will eclipse that record and write a new chapter in WSL history. The decisive moment arrived when Liverpool’s captain, Grace Fisk, inadvertently headed an own‑goal, putting the hosts ahead 3-2 as five minutes of added time were displayed.
Sensing an imminent draw, Liverpool pushed too many players forward, leaving space for Hemp to burst down the right flank. She calmly slotted the ball past former teammate Khiara Keating, sealing a dramatic comeback.
The England international also opened the scoring for City earlier, finishing a well‑crafted team move with her first goal of the season – her first strike since November. That early breakthrough set the tone for a match that would swing back and forth.
Liverpool, however, responded with vigor. A defensive lapse allowed Alice Bergström to fire home, and Vivien Endemann, who had supplied the first City goal, volleyed a superb effort that slipped through Ayaka Yamashita’s outstretched hand, giving the Reds a deserved lead.
Khadija “Bunny” Shaw continued her impressive run, netting her fourth league goal to level the score. After Hemp’s opening shot was saved by Keating, Shaw pounced on the rebound and tapped the ball home from close range.
Shaw’s performance reinforced why retaining her was arguably City’s most astute summer acquisition. Shaw’s tally now stands at 52 home goals in the WSL, surpassing Bethany England’s record and making her the first Manchester City player to score in each of the opening three league fixtures of a season. Ultimately, it was a game decided by mistakes, but City’s ability to capitalize on Liverpool’s lapses earned them three points and extended their lead at the top of the table to five points with a full round of matches remaining this weekend. Liverpool remain 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. The Joie Stadium record‑equalling run is a testament to City’s consistency." "This Liverpool side is a far cry from the one a year ago.
The club endured a tragic period, losing former manager Matt Beard and kitman Jon Humble in quick succession, and then grappled with a cascade of injuries under new boss Gareth Taylor. Yet they have stuck with their core and are now reaping the benefits of a season‑long rebuild." "Endemann, despite limited WSL experience, looked like a seasoned veteran, causing real problems for City’s defence alongside Beta Olsson and Bergström – a superb signing from Wolfsburg. For large stretches, Liverpool pressed better, made smarter choices and displayed greater confidence. Late lapses cost them, but Taylor can take heart from the progress made after a disastrous previous year." Marsh continued, noting Liverpool’s rapid accumulation of points compared to the previous campaign, suggesting they could aim for a top‑half finish if they maintain momentum.
Key moments of the match were: - 13′ – Hemp finishes a flowing 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, giving Liverpool the lead. - 39′ – Shaw smashes a shot against the post as City chase an equaliser. - 45+2′ – Shaw converts a rebound after Keating spills Hemp’s shot. - 60′ – Keating makes a crucial save, denying a Shaw attempt.
- 90′ – Fisk’s own‑goal hands City the lead. - 90+5′ – Hemp breaks away and calmly finishes past Keating to seal the win.
After the match, Hemp spoke to Sky Sports: "I don’t score often, so it feels great to get on the scoresheet, especially with that last chance when I had a lot of time to think about where to place the ball. I’m pleased we could win. It shows the depth we have in the squad – we needed that energy when the game got tough, and the team stepped up." City manager Andrée Jeglertz, also interviewed, reflected on the victory: "Every win is special in its own way. This game was tough; we knew Liverpool would be a challenge.
They changed tactics, which forced us to adapt. The first half was a bit chaotic, but we created plenty of chances and ended up with four goals.
I’m proud of the group’s mentality – they never stopped believing and kept pushing until the end." Regarding Hemp, Jeglertz added: "She’s an incredible player – full of energy and love for the game. Even when she missed an early chance, she kept going.
Her determination makes her a true game‑changer." Liverpool boss Gareth Taylor, while disappointed, remained optimistic: "It’s a shame we fell short, but the way we attacked was exactly what I wanted. If we keep playing like that, we’ll win many games this season. We need to improve our finishing, especially in the final third, but the attitude and application from the players were first‑class." In summary, Manchester City’s 4-2 victory over Liverpool not only extended their unbeaten start but also highlighted the importance of depth, resilience, and the impact of key players like Hemp and Shaw. As the season progresses, both teams will look to build on the lessons learned – City aiming to cement a record‑breaking home run, and Liverpool seeking to translate their spirited performance into more points and a higher league finish.