City book place in League Cup semi-finals with hard fought derby triumph

City secured passage into the Subway League Cup semi-finals with a battling 2-1 win over Manchester United at Leigh Sports Village.

Lily Murphy played a starring role in the success, providing the assist for Laura Coombs' opener before restoring our lead after Millie Turner had equalised.

A fantastic defensive display followed after the break as we beat our cross-city rivals in the second meeting between the teams in 2024/25.

It means we return to winning ways and will face either Arsenal or Brighton in the last-eight of the competition.

WHAT HAPPENED

Shortly before proceedings began at Leigh Sports Village, City were buoyed by the signing of Brazil international Kerolin Nicoli who went straight into the matchday squad against our cross-city rivals.

And the meeting presented a near-immediate opportunity to reclaim bragging rights following our narrow Barclays Women’s Super League defeat to Marc Skinner’s side three days before the last-eight tie.

That disappointment was firmly in the past, however – sentiments expressed by Taylor in his pre-match press conference as our full focus was on reaching the League Cup semi-finals.

The Blues boss also spoke of his belief that the latest meeting between the sides would again be closely contested which rang true in the opening exchanges with chances at a premium due to an intense midfield battle.

But neat link-up play between Japan internationals Yui Hasegawa and Aoba Fujino on the right allowed us to beat the press and send the latter sprinting down the wing before her effort was held by Phallon Tullis-Joyce.

That attempt though moved City up the pitch, applying pressure on the United defence, which paid dividends minutes later when Lily Murphy used her blistering pace to get to the touchline and pull a perfectly weighted pass back into the six-yard box where Laura Coombs coolly slotted home.

City were certainly in the ascendency and, after breaking the deadlock, the England international produced a sublime piece of skill on the edge of the area to spin past Maya Le Tissier and arrive into the box before firing just over the bar.

Despite our early domination, the hosts still showed they packed quality aplenty and carved out an opportunity when a hopeful ball towards the back post wasn’t cleared – allowing Rachael Williams to produce an impressive volley which also sailed over.

For the majority of the first half we looked comfortable in possession and were carving out the better openings.

But United produced a sucker-punch to equalise 10 minutes before the break when, from a set-piece, Mille Turner poked into the roof of the net from close range after the ball was allowed to bounce inside the box.

Both teams then created half chances before the interval with Melvine Malard drilling wide for the hosts before Murphy tested Tullis-Joyce.

And as our exciting Academy graduate started to stamp her authority on proceedings, she restored our lead with a wonderful solo goal on the cusp of half-time, driving to the left of the box, cutting onto her right foot and viciously whipping home via the far post.

Skinner opted to bolster his backline during the break with Doninique Janssen coming into the heart of United’s defence in a bid to stifle City’s scintillating attack which was showcased often during the first 45.

Murphy, though, continued to ask questions of the hosts' defence - again using her pace to burst into the box before Maya Le Tissier came across and produced a well-timed, sliding tackle to prevent a shot coming in from the teenager.

United then shuffled their pack again, this time introducing Celine Bizet and Elisabeth Terland - two red lieutenants who proved crucial in their win at the Etihad.

And the latter almost equalised soon after when the hosts regained possession on the edge of the box, dinked into the area where the former Brighton striker fired high above the bar.

As proceedings progressed it was developing into a pulsating, end-to-end encounter – one that those inside Leigh Sports Village didn’t want to take their eyes off with tough tackles and fast football being served up from both teams.

And Rebecca Knaak was on hand to produce a heroic tackle with Terland look to bare down on goal when sliding in and nudging the ball back to Keating as the tension continued to rise despite the dipping temperatures as the clock ticked past 80 minutes.

In the closing stages, Khiara Keating bravely came to collect a cross which saw her collide with Terland - forcing our keeper off the pitch and a lengthy pause in play.

That meant eight minutes were added to the end of the second half but we held on and defended well to book our place in the last-eight of the Subway League Cup.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: LILY MURPHY

Our Academy graduate shone at Leigh Sports Village, utilising her pace and strength with the ball at her feet to cause United problems all evening.

A goal and an assist to boot, the quarter-final victory is the latest memorable chapter in her fledgling career so far.

HOW WE LINED UP

Gareth Taylor made three changes from the team who started our narrow defeat to Manchester United last time out with Laura Coombs, Laura Blindkilde Brown and Lily Murphy making the first XI.

That meant the back four remained the same with Khiara Keating protected in goal by Kerstin Casparij, captain Laia Aleixandri, Rebecca Knaak and Leila Ouahabi.

Coombs and Blindkilde Brown joined Yui Hasegawa in the engine room, both operating slightly further forward than the Japan international.

And Mary Fowler spearheaded our front three with Aoba Fujino playing on the right and Murphy on the left.

Manchester United XI: Tullis-Joyce, Turner (Janssen 46'), Galton (Riviere 73'), Mannion, Miyazawa, Le Tissier, Malard (Bizet 50'), Williams (Terland 50'), Clinton (Toone 83'), Awujo, Sandberg.

Unused substitutes: Middleton-Patel, George.

City XI: Keating (Yamashita 87'), Casparij, Aleixandri (C), Knaak, Ouahabi, Hasegawa, Coombs (Roord 58'), Blindkilde Brown, Fujino (Park58'), Murphy, Fowler.

Unused substitutes: Kerolin Nicoli, Prior, Oyama, Davies.

WHAT IT MEANS

The victory over Manchester United means we’ve advanced into the last-four of the competition, meaning we will face Arsenal/Brighton in the semi-finals.

The defeat to Manchester United means we’ve been eliminated from the Subway League Cup at the quarter-final stage.

WHAT’S NEXT

Next up for City is a trip to Aston Villa in the Barclays Women’s Super League on Saturday 25 January.

Kick-off at Villa Park is scheduled for 12:00 (UK) and, as ever, there will be comprehensive coverage on mancity.com and our official app of the clash.