CAROLINE WEIR was Manchester United’s nemesis yet again consigning the Red Devils to derby day heartbreak in front of a record crowd. The super sub’s chip paved the way for a punishing 1-0 loss for United, with Man City dealing a huge blow to their European hopes. To the strains of Oasis’ Wonderwall, Weir […]
CAROLINE WEIR was Manchester United’s nemesis yet again consigning the Red Devils to derby day heartbreak in front of a record crowd.
The super sub’s chip paved the way for a punishing 1-0 loss for United, with Man City dealing a huge blow to their European hopes.
To the strains of Oasis’ Wonderwall, Weir and her team-mates gathered in the centre circle of their home ground to celebrate the victory that followed the winger’s stunning strike.
The win, watched by a record Academy Stadium crowd of 5,317 fans, led to City moving four points off Tottenham who leapt to third.
And Weir’s third wonder goal in a Manchester derby, saw United drop to fourth with their neighbours hot on their heels in fifth.
Man City boss Gareth Taylor said: “I think it was a year yesterday when she did that in the fixture here last season when we beat them.
“It was a different feeling in this game because that was special in itself, but having the supporters here and a full house, record crowd, it just felt amazing.
“The goal celebration was great and I think the execution of this year’s goal was better than last season which was some goal.
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“Just more so because she was under pressure from a couple of United players. To execute that type of finish under pressure is really difficult.”
City, eager to shatter the Red Devils’ European dreams, came flying out of the blocks.
And Lauren Hemp in particular looked menacing on the left, but was unable to convert a number of first-half chances.
The hosts had 18 shots with three on target compared to just four for their rivals.
Among those was a huge opportunity in the 8th minute for Hemp following her powerful drive forward and Jess Park cross.
But the England winger missed her moment to net at point blank range as her side began to turn the screw.
City dominated the ball and had another chance to get off the mark with Vicky Losada forcing a block from Diane Caldwell in the 25th minute.
United’s chances were few and far in between early on and less threatening than those of their hosts.
A Katie Zelem free-kick was calmly claimed by Ellie Roebuck near the half-hour mark
This was moments before Hemp sent a header over the bar and Ellen White directed another off target near half-time.
The second spell saw City up the tempo with Losada seeing another shot blocked.
And United looked through on goal through Signe Bruun but the forward was unable to latch on to a pass from Vilde Boe Risa.
Taylor made the first of two changes to his line-up around the 75th minute with Weir entering the fray in place of Losada.
And it took just six minutes before the Scotland ace dealt a fatal blow to United’s hopes of a point.
The winger dispossessed Zelem before unleashing a corker of shot curling the ball home from distance for the win.
United’s loss saw their points advantage over City cut to two.
And Marc Skinner’s side are targeting revenge in their fifth round FA Cup duel with their neighbours.
Skinner said: “This (loss) will be a massive fuel for us, I’ve no doubt about that.
‘I’ve asked the players to feel it because they’re disappointed and they’re devastated with this result.
“But they need to feel it because that’s the fuel for when we play them next time.”
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