It was a record attendance for a women's game at the Etihad today and the Manchester derby did not disappoint.
Gareth Taylor’s side looked more lethal in the second half as they pulled the game back onto level terms by the hour mark to the relief of adoring fans in the crowd of over 44,000 at the Etihad Stadium, and ending the game a 1-1 draw.
The visitors had the early lead when Leah Galton slotted the ball off Alex Greenwood's legs into the bottom left corner, and past a flailing Ellie Roebuck. But the game returned to a stalemate after Laura Coombs scored from a free header in the middle of United’s box.
READ MORE: City battle to derby draw against Man United
Ellie Roebuck - She collected the ball well but was beaten by the big deflection for the goal. Came out to collect a high ball in the second half but missed it. 6
Kerstin Casparij - Just quality on City’s right flank, she wasn’t afraid to get involved with Kelly in attack. Despite being a maestro in long balls she kept it short and snappy in the first half, a genuine solid performance at the back. 8
Laia Aleixandri - Fantastic calm footwork to turn out of trouble in the United box to create a chance for Kelly early on. And nicked the ball from Toone's feet in her area minutes later. Very patient but assertive movements with quality balls for Casparij to counter on. Didn’t give Russo an inch. 9
Alex Greenwood © - Played much deeper and forced play at the end of the first half and ultimately handed over possession in the process with loose long balls. Galton’s goal went through her legs - she gave the United player too much space with a poor defensive stance. But in the second half, she came out with clear organisation for the back line. 7
Laura Coombs - Seemed to fill in for Hemp’s movement on the left more so than usual in the first half. She collected the loose balls well and was dynamic in using them as a counterattack or to slow the game and play backwards but carried the ball well into the attacking half and headed home the equaliser. 8
Chloe Kelly - A huge threat with the ball at her feet, she saw a lot of the ball but Blundell got the better of her several times in the first half. However, in the second half, she delivered the cross that gave City the equaliser. 8
Denya Castellanos - Found Kelly amidst a crowd of red shirts to open up City’s attack down the right flank, had a couple of great opportunities. 7
Lauren Hemp - Back into the starting line-up from a thigh injury, not as much running at the defence as expected from Hemp, opted for more link-up play with Coombs on that left flank instead. But she did get involved in shorter bursts of attacking play against United’s back four, unfortunate to not find the back of the net. 8
Leila Ouahabi - Had her hands full with Parris and Batlle but a fast one-touch on the left flank kept her in possession, although Batlle enjoyed their one-on-ones. She delivered the perfect ball for City to take the lead but it was swept up by Earps. 7
Khadija Shaw - Was kept quiet by Tuner, Le Tissier and Batlle - United played the ball around her a lot, as if unsupported from the midfield. A quiet first half for her but in the second half, she dropped deep to help out but was kept but did not deliver to her usual quality. 6
Yui Hasegawa - Fast footwork to get herself out of trouble every time, she also held Toone, Zelem and Blundell up to slow United’s attack down. She often sat in front of the back four to screen United’s lethal through balls, especially in the second half. 8
Manchester City head to Leicester to defend their league cup title as their last game before the Christmas break. They travel to the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday 17th of December for a 3 pm kick-off.
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