Lauren Hemp capped off a dramatic 4-2 triumph for Manchester City over Liverpool, helping the defending champions preserve an unbeaten opening to their title defence. The match, which unfolded at the Joie Stadium, saw City cling to a record‑equalling 13‑game home winning streak before Hemp’s late heroics rescued the points. The first half was a seesaw battle. City were forced to chase an equaliser after Liverpool took the lead, and a hard‑won goal restored parity before halftime.
The second half was even more tense, with Liverpool’s Grace Fisk inadvertently gifting the hosts a 3-2 lead in stoppage time via an own‑goal. Sensing a possible draw, Liverpool pushed men forward, leaving space at the back. Hemp seized the opportunity, sprinting down the right flank and calmly slotting the ball past former teammate Khiara Keating to make it 4-2. That finish not only sealed the win but also marked a personal milestone for Hemp, who had not scored since November.
Her goal came from a well‑executed team move, highlighting City’s fluid attacking play. Meanwhile, Liverpool showed resilience, with Alice Bergstrom capitalising on a defensive lapse to put the Reds ahead, and Vivien Endemann adding a spectacular volley that beat goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita.
Khadija "Bunny" Shaw continued her impressive run, scoring her fourth league goal of the season to level the score after City’s own‑goal. Shaw’s finish came after a spill from Keating on Hemp’s opening shot, allowing Shaw to tap home from close range. Her performance underlined why the club’s decision to retain her over the summer was a shrewd one. Shaw now holds the record for most home goals in WSL history with 52, surpassing Bethany England, and she is the first City player to find the net in each of the first three league matches of a campaign.
The victory also saw City match Chelsea’s record of 14 consecutive home wins in the WSL, a benchmark set between September 2019 and January 2021. A win against Arsenal on 4 October would push the tally to a new high. The three points extended City’s lead at the top of the table to five, while Liverpool remain third, four points behind. Sky Sports analyst Charlotte Marsh praised Liverpool’s effort, noting that very few teams have forced City to work as hard as Liverpool did on their own ground.
She reflected on Liverpool’s recent hardships, including the loss of former manager Matt Beard and kitman Jon Humble, as well as a spate of injuries that have hampered Gareth Taylor’s side. Despite those setbacks, the Reds have shown marked improvement, with new signings like Endemann, Beta Olsson and Bergstrom making immediate impacts. Marsh highlighted that for large stretches of the match Liverpool pressed better, made smarter decisions and displayed greater confidence. Late mistakes, however, cost them dearly, allowing City to capitalize.
She also pointed out that Liverpool reached the four‑point mark in just 12 games this season—a sign that they could aim for a top‑half finish if they maintain their trajectory. A minute‑by‑minute recap shows the ebb and flow of the encounter: - 13': Hemp finishes a brilliant team move for her first goal of the season.
- 19': A defensive mix‑up lets Bergstrom fire home for Liverpool. - 28': Endemann’s close‑range volley beats Yamashita to give Liverpool the lead.
- 39': Shaw smashes the post as City hunt for a first‑half equaliser. - 45+2': Shaw converts a spill from Keating to level the score.
- 60': Keating makes a crucial save, denying Shaw again. - 90': Fisk’s own‑goal restores City’s lead.
- 90+5': Hemp breaks away and calmly slots past Keating to seal the win. Post‑match, Hemp told Sky Sports that scoring is a rare treat for her, but she was delighted to get on the scoresheet, especially with the time she had to finish the chance. She praised the squad’s depth, saying the fresh energy from substitutes changed the game and helped secure the victory.
Manchester City manager Andrée Jeglertz spoke about the difficulty of comparing wins, noting each triumph has its own story. He described Liverpool as a challenging opponent that forced City to adapt, especially after tactical changes by the Reds in the second half. Jeglertz was pleased with the team’s mentality, their belief, and their ability to create multiple scoring opportunities, ultimately finishing with four goals.
Regarding Hemp, Jeglertz called her an "amazing player" with boundless energy and a love for the game, calling her a genuine game‑changer who never let an early miss affect her confidence. Liverpool boss Gareth Taylor expressed disappointment at the narrow loss but praised his side’s attacking intent.
He believes the approach will bring future success, emphasizing the need to improve final‑third actions and capitalize on chances. Taylor reminded that his team finished 11th last season, and the progress shown this year reflects a significant turnaround, though there is still work to be done to consistently challenge the champions.
Overall, the match illustrated how fine margins decide outcomes in the Women’s Super League. Errors, both defensive and offensive, shaped the result, but City’s experience and depth allowed them to recover and extend their lead at the summit.
The game also reinforced Liverpool’s upward trajectory, suggesting they could become a serious contender as the season unfolds. The fixture provided fans with a thrilling showcase of talent, resilience, and tactical nuance, underscoring why the WSL continues to grow in popularity and competitiveness.