United victorious in WSL Manchester derby at the Etihad: Five things we learned | OneFootball

In last season’s WSL, Man City did the double over Man United, winning at both the Etihad and Old Trafford. The situation was different this year though, as United had the chance to leapfrog City in the table with a win. An out-of-form City entered the match with a depleted squad against a United team that had conceded just 3 goals prior to today.

Despite United’s solidity up to this point in the season, the game would turn into a goal fest, with the net being found five times in the first-half. United had run away with a three goal lead, before City pegged them back to 3-2. A quick goal after the break from United would be the last of the match, as it finished 4-2 to the visitors.

City were the better side for most of the game but ultimately they were architects of their own downfall, as all four of the goals they conceded were avoidable.

Here are five things we learned:

Happy hat-trick for Toone

Ella Toone didn’t manage to find the net before the winter break this season, with her last goal prior to the break coming in last season’s FA Cup final. Last weekend she scored her first of the season, in a 7-0 victory in the early stages of the FA Cup. Today she opened her account in the WSL, and in some style, bagging herself a hat-trick. Toone’s first came in the 14th minute, as she latched onto a loose ball and knocked it over the City goalkeeper. Her second was a routine finish in the 36th minute, and the England international completed her hat-trick just seconds after half time. It was Toone’s first hat-trick for United and now she is off the mark in the WSL, she will hope to build further goalscoring form in the coming weeks.

Horror hat trick of errors for Keating

Whilst Toone will have taken great pleasure in her hat-trick, the City goalkeeper Khiara Keating endured an unwanted hat-trick of errors, as she played a part in all of Toone’s goals. It was a night to forget for Keating, whose distribution was sub-par and landed her team in difficulty on multiple occasions. The opening goal came from a City goal kick and then Keating was dispossessed in the 27th minute and lucky not to be punished. Then in the 35th minute, she gave the ball away but was fortunate as United skied the chance that came from her error. However, from the subsequent goal kick, Keating again played a poor ball out, and this did result in a goal for the visitors. Having reduced the deficit back to one goal before half-time, City had momentum as they entered the second period, but this was squandered when their keeper was dispossessed again and they conceded after just ten seconds of the half. Keating looked distraught after United’s fourth goal, having been at fault for three of their goals.

Masterful Miedema

It was a great coup this summer when City secured the services of Vivianne Miedema. The esteemed striker joined the Blues after spending the last seven years at Arsenal, where she earned a host of accolades. The start of her City career has been hampered by injuries but the Dutch international started today and exhibited her class. Although it was not enough to secure the victory, Miedema displayed top level hold-up play and was at the centre of everything positive for City. The prolific goalscorer also managed to find the back of the net in her first Manchester derby.

Offside question marks

United ultimately ran away 4-2 winners at the Etihad tonight, although they may have been the benefiters of a couple of incorrect offside decisions. With the absence of VAR in the WSL, there were no checks on any of the goals scored tonight. That may have been to United’s advantage as both of their second and third goals appear to have been offside on replay. The on-field officials did not spot any infringements and so the goals stood but it could have been a totally different game without these two strokes of luck for United.

Tullis-Joyce continues fine form

United’s goalkeeper, Phallion Tullis-Joyce has been enjoying a fine campaign in this season’s WSL. Opposition manager Gareth Taylor sang her praises ahead of tonight’s game, suggesting that the American shot-stopper is a key factor in United’s impressive defensive record. United had conceded just three goals ahead of tonight’s game, and although she was beaten twice, Tulles-Joyce put in another fine display. She produced a number of impressive stops to keep City at bay and the result would have been vastly different without her in between the sticks.