A sold out Theatre of Dreams hosted the Manchester derby for the fourth time this season, with a draw settled for both sides in an important game for Europe.
Manchester United headed into this game knowing that avoiding defeat would see them secure a place in the Champions League next season.
It was the home side who looked the brightest in the early stages, with the strike force of Ella Toone and Elisabeth Terland looking to pose a threat on the away side’s defence.
As the game grew, Manchester City started to apply the pressure through Kerolin and her trickery. Both managers faced injury problems as City full back Leila Ouahabi and United full back Jayde Riviere came off early in the game.
United thought they broke the deadlock with a header dispatched by Terland however it was disallowed by the referee.
With stoppages for treatment slowing down the flow of the game, both sides looked to step it up another gear in their counter attacks.
A bruising counter attack led by Brazilian forward Kerolin saw her beat Millie Turner with her tricky feet. The ball eventually ended up with Hemp who laid it off for Laia Aleixandri to slot home past keeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
The second came in quick succession for the away side, a pinpoint corner by Yui Hasegawa was met by defender Rebecca Knaak who headered it home to extend the lead.
The home side refused to let their heads drop, however, and Maya Le Tissier’s surging run saw her find Aoife Mannion who put in a great ball for Grace Clinton to put it past Khiara Keating. It was a fantastic response from the home side after conceding two unexpected goals.
As the sun gleamed on the Stretford End for the second half, Marc Skinner’s side came out the stronger side, searching for the equaliser.
Both managers looked to the bench to see who could impact the game, with Skinner introducing Melvine Malard in attack and Cushing replacing Hemp with the creativity of Jill Roord.
The French forward made an instant impact and managed to keep herself calm and composed in front to goal to score the equaliser for the home side.
With both teams in the hunt for another goal, derby day antics came in full force between Alex Greenwood and Aoife Mannion, who later saw a red card for a rash challenge on Kerolin.
The final whistle blew and the United faithful went into ruptures knowing the importance of securing European football for next season.
Post-game speaking on Champions League qualification, United manager Marc Skinner said: “It’s a special moment. It’s a huge growing moment for this young team.
“Champions League gives you that recruitment, hopefully it opens that market up for us.”
With the visitors disappointed to not go away with the three points despite the lead, City manager Nick Cushing said: “It’s painful but this is football. In these moments, it’s about the reaction.
“The minimum requirement now is a top performance for our fans against Crystal Palace.”
Speaking about what the future holds for his side: “I see our team as a team that should be competing on every front and I believe this club should always be competing for trophies.”
Featured Image courtesy of Steven Taylor.