Ella Toone hat-trick claims Derby Day victory for Man United | OneFootball

An Ella Toone hat-trick during the Manchester Derby sees Manchester United go above their local rivals for the first time this season. The Etihad Stadium hosted the clash as the Red Devils handed City a crushing 4-2 defeat in the Women’s Super League.

Goals from Toone and Leah Galton secured the three points for Marc Skinner’s side. Meanwhile efforts from Vivianne Miedema and Rebecca Knaak proved to be mere consolations.

Starting XIs

Manchester City

Keating; Aleixandri, Miedema, Fowler, Roord, Ouahabi, Park, Caparij, Fujino, Hasegawa, Knaak

Manchester United

Tullis-Joyce; George, Le Tissier, Toone, Galton, Riviere, Ildhusøy, Janssen, Terland, Miyazawa, Turner

How it went

It was the away side who undoubtedly enjoyed the better start to the half with Khiara Keating being called into action several times in the opening minutes. The 14th minute saw United take a deserved lead as Ella Toone saw her shot shot curve beyond Keating to break the deadlock. A second for the Reds came just six minutes later as Leah Galton turned the ball home from a poorly defended corner.

The early performance was typical of City’s recent outings. A lack of focus in attack left the Sky Blues chasing shadows without star striker Bunny Shaw. Whilst Gareth Taylor’s side may be missing their all-time top scorer, the WSL runners-up still boast an attacking lineup littered with top international talent. Lacklustre performances have left the Citizens struggling to find the finish their chances.

Ella Toone shines

Toone added a third for Marc Skinner’s side following a further defensive mix-up just moments after Elisabeth Terland saw her effort go wide. Vivianne Miedema got one back for the hosts shortly before the break, heading home Mary Fowler’s cross.

Rebecca Knaak reduced the deficit to a single goal on the stroke of half time, scoring a crucial debut goal for the Sky Blues. Heading the ball beyond Tullis-Joyce, the German international offered the hosts a route back into the tie.

Embed from Getty Images

A nightmare start to the second half saw Toone bag her hattrick slotting the ball beyond a stricken Keating. The goal came after the City keeper made yet another costly error. Further errors almost caused more damage as United continued to pile on the pressure to a City side lacking any real confidence.

Ultimately the tie finished with the visitors taking all three points from a disastrous outing for Taylor’s side. With the Champions League knock-out stage looming, the Citizens will need a stunning turn around to keep their silverware hopes alive. For United, the win moves them third in the table with just seven points separating them from top spot.

Related articles from Her Football Hub: