Match ends, Manchester City Women 3, Manchester United Women 1.
Jess Park produced an outstanding display as Manchester City beat rivals Manchester United to keep up their Women's Super League title chase.
England forward Park, 22, scored twice and assisted one for Khadija Shaw as City brushed aside their neighbours at Etihad Stadium to move three points clear of Chelsea at the top of the table for at least a day.
United's hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League have all but evaporated with the defeat as they trail third-placed Arsenal by six points, with the Gunners still to play Aston Villa on Sunday.
It was a damaging afternoon for United not just in terms of the result but also for their pride as rivals City, though not at their best, were ruthless in front of goal and left the Etihad as comfortable winners.
Park's opener should have been ruled out for offside by Shaw in the build-up but it was allowed to stand in the absence of a video assistant referee, as the midfielder volleyed home Leila Ouahabi's cross.
She doubled City's lead eight minutes later - celebrating in front of United's away fans in the corner on both occasions - and within seconds of the restart slid a pass through for Shaw to place her effort past goalkeeper Mary Earps.
Shaw's goal saw her overtake England midfielder Georgia Stanway as City's all-time record scorer in the WSL era with 68 goals.
United responded later in the second half when Hannah Blundell's cross was deflected into the far corner by City defender Kerstin Casparij, but the visitors could not get back into the game.
City, who are chasing a first WSL title since 2016, have equalled Chelsea's goal difference, but Emma Hayes' side will return to the top on Sunday if they beat West Ham.
Park masterclass deals major setback to United
With England manager Sarina Wiegman among the 40,086 watching on, Park enjoyed a hugely successful afternoon in Manchester.
The midfielder, now a regular in City's side following the anterior cruciate ligament injury to record-signing Jill Roord, proved her credentials as one of the country's most exciting talents with a mature display.
"The cherry on the cake we were looking for with Jess was goals and assists and she gave us that today, on the big stage," said City boss Gareth Taylor.
Park forced a strong save out of goalkeeper Earps midway through the first half after United had threatened, with Brazilian Geyse getting the better of Ouahabi down the right-hand side.
Chances had come and gone for the visitors - Nikita Parris was denied by Khiara Keating before Geyse stabbed wide - and Park's strike from distance was the first real opportunity for City.
That was the catalyst Taylor's side needed and they began to settle, testing Earps again through Yui Hasegawa before Park's quick double put them in the driving seat.
United's frustration at Shaw's role in Park's opener was justified but the Jamaican had a goal disallowed for offside moments later when she poked in a deflected rebound.
Shaw, who had earlier gone down claiming a foul from Blundell, with the United defender already on a yellow card, scored her record-breaking goal at the start of the second half as she produced a cool finish.
"'Bunny' is just a unique player, she really is," added Taylor. "Not only does she give us the goal, she's a big focal point for the team."
United, to their credit, did not give up in the second half but they had left themselves too much to do and while City must wait to see Chelsea's response on Sunday, Marc Skinner's side will be hoping fifth-placed Liverpool don't overtake them.
It is the latest blow in a disappointing campaign for United, while City look more and more capable of ending Chelsea's WSL dominance.
Line-ups
Man City Women
Formation 4-3-3
- 35Keating
- 18Casparij
- 33Kennedy
- 5Greenwood
- 15OuahabiSubstituted forMorganat 87'minutes
- 16Park
- 25Hasegawa
- 7CoombsSubstituted forAngeldahlat 83'minutes
- 8Fowler
- 21Shaw
- 11Hemp
Substitutes
- 3Stokes
- 6Houghton
- 9Kelly
- 12Angeldahl
- 14Morgan
- 17Pritchard
- 19Blindkilde Brown
- 22MacIver
- 30Mace
Man Utd Women
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 27Earps
- 14RiviereSubstituted forMannionat 57'minutes
- 4Le Tissier
- 21Turner
- 6BlundellBooked at 21mins
- 10Zelem
- 16Naalsund
- 23da Silva FerreiraBooked at 90mins
- 7TooneSubstituted forMalardat 85'minutes
- 17García
- 22ParrisSubstituted forWilliamsat 58'minutes
Substitutes
- 5Mannion
- 8Guerrero
- 9Malard
- 12Ladd
- 15Evans
- 25Rabjohn
- 28Williams
- 36Aherne
- 91Tullis-Joyce
- Referee:
- Abigail Byrne
- Attendance:
- 40,086
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home53%
- Away47%
- Shots
- Home15
- Away15
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away4
- Corners
- Home5
- Away9
- Fouls
- Home4
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Manchester City Women 3, Manchester United Women 1.
Post update
Attempt missed. Khadija Shaw (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Mary Fowler.
Post update
Filippa Angeldahl (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Rachel Williams (Manchester United Women).
Post update
Foul by Khadija Shaw (Manchester City Women).
Post update
Katie Zelem (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Offside, Manchester United Women. Millie Turner is caught offside.
Post update
Attempt saved. Millie Turner (Manchester United Women) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Maya Le Tissier with a cross.
Post update
Corner, Manchester United Women. Conceded by Alanna Kennedy.
Booking
Geyse (Manchester United Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Lauren Hemp (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Geyse (Manchester United Women).
Post update
Kerstin Casparij (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Rachel Williams (Manchester United Women).
Post update
Lauren Hemp (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Melvine Malard (Manchester United Women).
Substitution
Substitution, Manchester City Women. Esme Morgan replaces Leila Ouahabi.
Post update
Hand ball by Rachel Williams (Manchester United Women).
Post update
Corner, Manchester United Women. Conceded by Leila Ouahabi.
Comments
Join the conversation
Shame to ship that late goal, especially from Blundell's cross. I think we can all agree she shouldn't have been on the pitch.
In a way though, I'm glad it stayed 11 v 11 as it proves that City were just the better team overall.
Comprehensive win.
"Blue Moon"
#93:20 #Centurions
Brilliant.
At least they are close to breaking Chelsea’s monopoly of this competition.
Perhaps West Ham will do them a favour tomorrow.
Parris didnt show up again as always in the big games and Man U were better for bringing Williams on. Reckon she should have started the match . Man City were far superior in all areas and deserved more than the 54% possession shown on here. When it comes to the crunch UTD are just not good enough...
Earps and her defence way off the mark.