MAN CITY WOMEN 2, MAN UTD WOMEN 4
Ella Toone was Manchester United’s hat-trick hero in their Women’s Super League victory at the Etihad.
The forward, who had never previously scored in a derby, certainly made up for those other missed opportunities.
There was also a goal for Leah Galton as the Reds leapfrogged City into the top three on a night to forget for goalkeeper Khiara Keating who was punished for two huge blunders.
United raced into a 3-0 lead before City reduced the deficit to one goal with two headed goals late in the opening half.
Toone, who has only just returned after a lengthy injury lay-off, completed her treble nine seconds after the restart and managed to hold on to their two-goal advantage for the remainder of the match.
Embed from Getty ImagesManager Marc Skinner praised Toone for overcoming adversity, saying: “We all know what she’s been through.
“The main thing is that Ella Toone for Manchester United and England enjoys her football – there is so much more to come from her.
“Toony will get a lot of plaudits because of what she’s been through personally – she is in a good space.
“While she will take the headlines, all the team deserve credit for the way we pressed.
“We are heading in the right direction and still learning.”
Skinner, who described it as one of the team’s best victories, added it is back to earth and work as they play City again on Wednesday in the League Cup.
City manager Gareth Taylor believes they were architects of their own downfall.
“I think we played into their hands – we need to be smarter,” he said.
“Between both boxes we were okay and had good opportunities, but did not execute well enough.
“We got the momentum back when it was 3-2 and started the second half in a horrible fashion conceding a goal after nine seconds which gave the momentum back to United.”
Taylor backed Keating whose errors were costly for City.
“Khiara will be sore like all of us. I don’t apportion blame as we win, draw and lose as a team.”
United were ahead in the 14th minute when they broke forward and Toone was released and dinked the ball over keeper Keating.
City were reeling again seven minutes later when the Reds doubled their lead after they failed to clear Toone’s corner.
There were a couple of ricochets inside the six-yard box before Leah Galton turned to fire home.
United looked to have the game won when they went 3-0 ahead in the 36th minute after a blunder by Keating whose pass out from the back was intercepted by Celin Bizet who released Toone who slotted home an easy goal.
But in a remarkable finish to the half, City scored twice and suddenly it was game back on.
Vivianne Miedema got City up and running with a looping header from Mary Fowler’s cross, an exquisite goal from the Dutch player.
Then in stoppage time, Rebecca Knaak headed home Fowler’s corner from eight yards for a goal of her debut.
United’s fourth came within 10 seconds of the restart which City had. They played the ball back to Keating whose clearance was charged down by Elisabeth Terland and rebounded to Toone who converted the easiest of chances to complete her hat trick.
City would have netted a third with 12 minutes left but for a brilliant save by Phallion Tullis-Joyce to keep out Fowler’s flick. Had that gone it, it would have made for a thrilling finish.