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Manchester United Women’s team qualified for the Women’s Super League Champions League with an impressive 4-2 win against neighbors Manchester City at the Etihad tonight.
United got off to a ferocious start, with Elisabeth Terlando firing a shot just over the bar within 30 seconds of the game.
Just two minutes into the game, Ella Toone made a great run into City’s box, but unfortunately the ball hit Chiara Keating right in front of her.
Mark Skinner’s side continued their impressive start, with Leah Galton powering down from the left and firing a wonderful shot towards goal, but it just missed the side netting.
But United were soon rewarded for their brave start. Mere seconds later, Toon ran through again and dipped the ball cutely over the onrushing City keeper to put the Red Devils ahead.
The visitors were certainly chasing and they took control of the game when Galton took advantage of a bit of ping-pong inside the City box to slot the ball in, showing a poacher’s good instincts.
City finally responded to the onslaught of red points, with Aoba Fujino narrowly going wide in the 29th minute.
Mary Fowler once again threatened the home side, but the ball deflected harmlessly wide of Fallon Tallis-Joyce’s goal.
Still, United gave it their all and with a smart interception in midfield they created a one-on-one chance with Talland, but she fired from inside the penalty area.
Moments later, Keating’s goal-kick for Leila Ouabi was short and Celin Bizet set up an easy finish for Thun, who scored his second goal of the game in the 36th minute, as the away fans watched. was delighted.
But just four minutes later, City were handed a lifeline when Vivianne Miedema cut the lead with a powerful header past her marker in the box.
A suffocating first half saw City score their second goal as United’s defense became reeling.
In the second minute of first-half stoppage time, defender Rebecca Knaak rose highest at the back post and headed the ball into the bottom corner past Tarice Joyce.
United were thankful for the first-half whistle after a few frantic minutes, although they almost outplayed an incredible performance for the better part of 45 minutes.
However, Skinner’s side have great character and started the second half in great fashion, with Toon scoring the third goal and United scoring the fourth when many teams would have folded.
City’s goalkeeper was in trouble just 10 seconds into the first half, but her kick was blocked by Terlando and a grateful Toon ran through and rolled the ball into an empty net.
But the home side fought back, Mary Fowler’s low shot being well saved by Tallis-Joyce before Jill Lord’s header went wide.
In the 73rd minute, the home side appeared to have equalized, but United’s American keeper brilliantly parried the ball out of the air from Kunak’s header.
In the 78th minute, Tallis-Joyce proved his worth once again, dropping quickly to deflect Fowler’s goal.
United controlled the game well from then on, but Maya Le Tissier produced a great block in stoppage time to deny Kunak again.
Skinner’s side won an impressive 4-2, their first away win in a Manchester derby.
The Red Devils will be hoping they can repeat the same trick when they welcome the same opponents to Leigh Sports Village in Wednesday’s League Cup quarter-final.
Featured Image Ben Roberts Photo via Getty Images
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