Lauren Hemp capped a dramatic 4-2 triumph for Manchester City over Liverpool, helping the defending WSL champions preserve a flawless opening to their title‑defence campaign. The match seemed teetering on a knife‑edge until the final minutes, when City’s resilience and a few Liverpool lapses turned the tide in their favour.
City entered the game riding a 13‑match winning streak at the Joie Stadium and had already matched Chelsea's record of 14 consecutive home victories in the league – a benchmark set between September 2019 and January 2021. A win against Arsenal on 4 October would see them break that record and cement their dominance on home soil. The drama unfolded late in the second half.
With five minutes of stoppage time added, Liverpool’s captain Grace Fisk inadvertently headed an own‑goal, giving City a 3‑2 lead. Sensing an imminent draw, Liverpool pushed a large number of players forward, leaving gaps that Hemp exploited. She surged down the right flank, received a quick pass and calmly slotted the ball past her former teammate, goalkeeper Khiara Keating, to restore City’s advantage.
The England international had already made her mark earlier in the match, finishing a well‑crafted team move for her first goal of the season – her first strike since November. That early contribution set the tone for a game in which both sides displayed attacking intent and occasional defensive frailties.
Liverpool, however, responded with vigor. A defensive misunderstanding allowed Alice Bergström to fire a low shot into the net, putting the Reds ahead.
Shortly after, Vivien Endemann – who had supplied the opening goal – unleashed a superb volley that slipped through Ayaka Yamashita’s outstretched hand, extending Liverpool’s lead to 2‑1. Khadija "Bunny" Shaw, who is chasing a third consecutive Golden Boot, pulled City level with her fourth league goal of the campaign.
After Hemp’s initial attempt was saved by Keating, Shaw pounced on the rebound and tapped home from close range. Shaw’s goal not only demonstrated her finishing prowess but also underscored why retaining her was Manchester City’s most astute signing of the summer. Shaw’s strike also placed her atop the all‑time home‑goal list in the WSL, surpassing Bethany England with 52 goals and making her the first City player to score in each of the opening three league fixtures of a season.
Ultimately, the match was decided by a combination of late mistakes and opportunistic finishing. City’s win stretched their lead at the summit to five points, while Liverpool, despite the loss, remain third, four points behind. Sky Sports analyst Charlotte Marsh reflected on the encounter: "Liverpool gave the champions a serious scare on their own turf – a rare feat given City’s record‑equalling run at the Joie Stadium.
This Liverpool side is a far cry from the one a year ago, having endured the tragic loss of former manager Matt Beard and kitman Jon Humble, as well as a spate of injuries. Yet under Gareth Taylor they have shown remarkable progress, turning a bleak start into a competitive challenge." Marsh continued, "Endemann looked far beyond her limited WSL experience, playing like a seasoned veteran and troubling City’s defence alongside newcomers Beta Olsson and Bergström from Wolfsburg. For much of the game Liverpool pressed better, made smarter choices and displayed greater confidence.
Their late lapses, however, proved costly, but Taylor can take heart from the way his side has rebounded from an ‘annus horribilis’ to a promising campaign." Key moments of the match were: - 13′ – Hemp finishes a fluid team move for her first goal of the season. - 19′ – A defensive mix‑up at City allows Bergström to slot home.
- 28′ – Liverpool surge ahead after Endemann’s close‑range effort beats Yamashita. - 39′ – Shaw smashes a header against the post as City hunt for a first‑half equaliser. - 45+2′ – Shaw converts a rebound after Keating spills Hemp’s shot.
- 60′ – Keating makes a crucial save, denying Shaw. - 90′ – Fisk’s own‑goal hands City a late lead.
- 90+5′ – Hemp breaks away and calmly finishes past Keating to seal the win. After the final whistle, Hemp told Sky Sports, "I don’t often find the back of the net, so it felt great to score, especially that last one when I had a bit of time on the ball.
It shows the depth we have in the squad – we needed that energy when we were under pressure, and the team delivered." City manager Andrée Jeglertz praised his side’s mentality: "Every victory is special in its own way. This game was tough; we knew Liverpool would be a challenge. They changed things at halftime, which forced us to adapt. The first half was a bit back‑and‑forth, but we created numerous chances and ended up with four goals.
The group’s belief never wavered, and that’s why we came out on top." Speaking about Hemp, Jeglertz added, "She’s an extraordinary player – relentless, full of energy, and always eager to be on the pitch. Even when she missed an early chance, she kept pushing and ultimately changed the game." Liverpool boss Gareth Taylor remained optimistic despite the defeat: "It’s disappointing to fall short, but I’m proud of how we approached the game. We attacked with intent, and that’s the foundation for future wins. We need to improve our finishing in the final third, but the attitude and application from the players were first‑class.
We’re building on last season’s 11th‑place finish, and progress takes time." The match also featured a promotional reminder: fans could enter the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £1 million, with free entry available. The victory not only reinforced Manchester City’s early dominance in the 2024‑25 WSL season but also highlighted the growing competitiveness of Liverpool, who continue to push the champions to their limits.