Lauren Hemp capped a dramatic 4-2 win for Manchester City over Liverpool, helping the defending WSL champions preserve a flawless start to their title defence. The match was a roller‑coaster, with City’s long‑standing unbeaten run at the Joie Stadium hanging in the balance until the final minutes.
After an early scramble that saw Liverpool take the lead, City fought back to level before Hemp’s late strike sealed the victory. The win also meant City matched Chelsea’s record of 14 consecutive home wins in the WSL – a streak the Blues set between September 2019 and January 2021.
A further home game against Arsenal on 4 October could see City break that benchmark and set a new standard for dominance at the Joie Stadium. In the dying moments of regular time, Liverpool captain Grace Fisk inadvertently turned the ball into her own net, giving City a 3-2 advantage as five minutes of stoppage time were added. Sensing that a draw was imminent, the Reds pushed too many players forward, leaving space for Hemp to sprint down the wing and calmly finish past former teammate Khiara Keating. The England international celebrated the goal as a perfect start to the match, completing a well‑crafted team move and marking her first goal of the season.
Liverpool, however, had already shown their quality. A defensive lapse allowed Alice Bergstrom to unleash a powerful shot, and Vivien Endemann – the creator of the opening goal – followed up with a spectacular volley that slipped through the outstretched hand of goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita. Their early dominance underscored the competitive nature of the fixture and highlighted why City’s win was hard‑earned. Khadija "Bunny" Shaw continued her pursuit of the Golden Boot, netting her fourth league goal to level the score.
After Hemp’s initial effort was saved by Keating, Shaw pounced on the rebound and tapped the ball home from close range. Shaw’s performance reinforced the wisdom of retaining her at City; she now holds the record for the most home goals in WSL history with 52, surpassing Bethany England, and she is the first City player to score in each of the first three league matches of a season. The match ultimately hinged on mistakes, and City’s ability to capitalize on Liverpool’s errors allowed them to extend their lead at the top of the table to five points. Liverpool remain third, four points behind the champions, after a commendable but ultimately insufficient effort.
Sky Sports analyst Charlotte Marsh praised Liverpool’s resilience, noting that few teams have forced the champions so close to the Joie Stadium’s record‑equalling run. She highlighted the club’s recent hardships – the loss of former manager Matt Beard and kitman Jon Humble, as well as a spate of injuries – and commended Gareth Taylor for steering the team through a difficult period. Marsh also lauded Endemann’s rapid development, describing her as a veteran despite limited WSL experience, and praised the impact of new signings like Beta Olsson and Bergstrom from Wolfsburg.
Marsh observed that Liverpool often displayed superior pressing, decision‑making, and confidence throughout large stretches of the game. Late lapses, however, proved costly, and she suggested that Taylor will be pleased with his squad’s overall performance, especially after overcoming an "annus horribilis" of off‑field tragedies. She noted that Liverpool reached four points in just 12 games last season, matching that tally in fewer matches this year and hinting at the possibility of a top‑half finish if the momentum continues.
Key moments of the match included: - 13′ – Hemp finishes a brilliant team move for her first goal of the season. - 19′ – A defensive mix‑up allows Bergstrom to slot home for Liverpool. - 28′ – Endemann’s close‑range effort beats Yamashita, giving Liverpool the lead. - 39′ – Shaw rattles 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 restores City’s lead.
- 90+5′ – Hemp breaks away and calmly finishes past Keating to seal the win. After the match, Hemp told Sky Sports that scoring is not a regular occurrence for her, so she was delighted to get on the scoresheet, especially with the decisive late goal.
She emphasized the depth of the squad and how fresh energy from substitutes turned the tide. City manager Andree Jeglertz reflected that every victory has its own character. He acknowledged Liverpool’s tactical adjustments that forced City to adapt, praised the team’s relentless creation of chances, and highlighted the group’s belief and resilience as the hallmarks of a winning side. Regarding Hemp, Jeglertz described her as "an amazing player" with boundless energy and a love for the game, calling her a genuine game‑changer.
Liverpool boss Gareth Taylor expressed disappointment at the narrow loss but was proud of his side’s attacking intent. He argued that the approach will yield more wins, noted the quality gap when facing champions, and stressed the need to improve finishing in the final third. Taylor also reminded listeners that Liverpool finished 11th last season, and the progress they have shown is a testament to the club’s hard work and growing confidence. Overall, the fixture demonstrated the fine margins that separate triumph from setback in the WSL, and it reinforced Manchester City’s status as the team to beat while offering Liverpool a platform to build on for the remainder of the campaign.