Lauren Hemp capped off a thrilling 4-2 triumph for Manchester City over Liverpool, helping the defending WSL champions preserve a flawless opening to their title‑defence campaign. The match, played at the Joie Stadium, saw City cling to a 13‑match winning streak at the venue, but the outcome hung in the balance until the final minutes.
City were forced to equalise early in the first half after Liverpool surged ahead, and they later capitalised on a series of Liverpool mistakes to clinch the win. By the end of the game, the hosts had matched Chelsea’s record of 14 consecutive home victories in the league – a benchmark set between September 2019 and January 2021. If City can defeat Arsenal at home on 4 October, they will establish a new all‑time high. The decisive moment arrived deep into stoppage time when Liverpool captain Grace Fisk inadvertently redirected the ball into her own net, giving City a 3-2 lead with five minutes of added time on the clock.
Sensing a draw was imminent, Liverpool pushed a large number of players forward, leaving space for the electrifying Hemp to sprint down the right flank and calmly finish past former teammate Khiara Keating. Hemp, an England international, also opened the scoring earlier in the match, completing a well‑worked team move that marked her first goal of the season since November. Her contribution underlined her importance to the squad and set the tone for a night in which City would ultimately prevail.
Liverpool, however, responded with flair. A defensive lapse allowed Alice Bergström to unleash a powerful strike, and shortly after, Vivien Endemann – who had supplied the initial goal – volleyed a superb effort that slipped through Ayaka Yamashita’s outstretched hand. These moments highlighted Liverpool’s attacking potential despite the eventual defeat. Khadija "Bunny" Shaw continued her impressive run, adding her fourth league goal of the campaign to level the score after a spill from Keating on Hemp’s first attempt.
Shaw’s quick reaction and close‑range finish demonstrated why retaining her was the most astute signing City made during the summer transfer window. Shaw’s goal also saw her surpass Bethany England to become the all‑time leading home scorer in the WSL, now sitting on 52 goals.
She is 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 club’s attacking arsenal. Ultimately, the match was decided by a series of errors and opportunistic play.
City emerged as the better side, extending their lead at the top of the table to five points with a full complement of games 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 rare feat that underscores the significance of City’s record‑tying run at the Joie Stadium. This Liverpool side is a far cry from the one a year ago, which endured the tragic loss of former manager Matt Beard and kitman Jon Humble, as well as a spate of injuries under new boss Gareth Taylor.
Yet the club’s perseverance and the strategic summer signings have borne fruit, with players like Endemann performing beyond their limited WSL experience, resembling seasoned veterans. For much of the game, Liverpool displayed superior pressing, decision‑making, and confidence. Late lapses, however, proved costly, but Taylor can take heart from a season that has already shed the shadow of an "annus horribilis"." Key moments of the match were logged as follows: - 13' – Hemp finishes a brilliant team move for her first goal of the season. - 19' – A defensive mix‑up allows Bergström to slot home for Liverpool.
- 28' – Endemann capitalises on sustained pressure, firing a close‑range effort past Yamashita. - 39' – Shaw smashes a header against 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. - 90' – Fisk’s own goal restores City’s lead.
- 90+5' – Hemp breaks away and calmly slots past Keating to seal the win. After the final whistle, Hemp spoke to Sky Sports about her rare goal‑scoring night: "I don’t normally find the back of the net, so it felt great to get on the scoresheet, especially with that last chance where I had a lot of time to think about placement. It shows the depth we have in the squad – we needed that extra energy when we were struggling, and the team stepped up to get the job done." City manager Andrée Jeglertz, also interviewed by Sky Sports, reflected on the team’s performance: "Every victory has its own flavour.
This one was particularly tough; we knew Liverpool would be a challenge. Their tactical adjustments forced us to adapt, and the first half was a bit of a seesaw. We conceded two goals but also created numerous chances, eventually scoring four. I’m proud of the group’s mentality – they never stopped believing and kept pushing until the end." Regarding Hemp’s impact, Jeglertz added: "She’s an extraordinary talent.
Her energy and love for the game are infectious. Even after an early miss, she stayed focused and became a game‑changer." Liverpool manager Gareth Taylor accepted responsibility for the loss: "It’s disappointing to fall short, but I’m pleased with how we approached the game. Our attacking intent was exactly what I wanted, and that’s the most important takeaway.
If we keep playing this way, we’ll win many games this season. We need to improve our finishing in the final third, as there were moments we could have taken the lead." Taylor also noted the progress his side has made since finishing 11th last season: "The squad’s attitude and application have been first‑class. We’re still developing, but the improvement is evident compared to the previous campaign." In summary, the encounter showcased the fine margins that separate victory from defeat in the WSL. Manchester City’s resilience, depth, and ability to seize late opportunities allowed them to maintain their unbeaten run and continue their pursuit of another league title, while Liverpool demonstrated that they are capable of challenging the top teams, laying a foundation for a promising season ahead.