A record-smashing crowd of over 31,000 saw Caroline Weir’s rocket win City the Manchester derby in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League.
Saturday 7 September
BARCLAYS FA WSL
Manchester City 1-0 Manchester United (Att: 31,213)
Bristol City 0-0 Brighton & Hove Albion (Att: 3,041)
Manchester City got the only goal of the game early in the second half to see off the challenge Manchester United.
The Reds had the clearest chance of the first half but Ellie Roebuck turned away a close-range Jane Ross effort.
Leah Galton had curled a shot narrowly over for the visitors, while for City Georgia Stanway wasn’t far off with a first-time effort and Weir’s 18-yard strike was straight at Mary Earps.
Three minutes after the restart and the deadlock was broken by the hosts, Weir finding the far top corner from outside the box.
Jackie Groenen so nearly forced a late leveller as she diverted the ball onto the post from an attempted City clearance.
Bristol City and Brighton played out a goalless draw at Ashton Gate as Vixens’ keeper Sophie Baggaley kept out an Albion spot kick.
Baggaley tipped a corner from Léa le Garrec onto the crossbar and an Aileen Whelan shot over the top, while Carla Humphrey forced a save from Megan Walsh at the other end.
When Gemma Evans was penalised for bringing down Whelan in the box, Baggaley saved Victoria Williams’ spot-kick.
Meaghan Seargent made a crucial block to deny Whelan after the break and Baggaley rushed out to thwart Ellie Brazil.
For City, Olivia Chance forced Walsh into a smart save and Ebony Salmon hit the crossbar.
