(Football news) Lucia Garcia of Manchester United scored the game-winning goal in sudden death overtime of a tense derby match against Manchester City to keep the Red Devils’ tenuous Women’s Super League title hopes alive. Chelsea’s chances of a title celebration following their victory over Arsenal on Sunday will now have to wait until the final day of the season when Emma Hayes’ team Chelsea will play relegation-threatened Reading in an attempt to win a fourth straight WSL championship.

Hayley Ladd gave United the lead after just two minutes with a spectacular shot from 20 yards out during a dramatic first half. Just before halftime, City custodian Ellie Roebuck was sent for a careless challenge on Nikita Parris, and it looked as though United, who had never defeated City in the league, would finally defeat their adversaries.

However, Filippa Angeldahl recovered the ball and fired in a looping cross that found its way into the goal to tie the game after the hosts failed to clear a corner. Despite the fact that City appeared poised to earn a point and ruin United’s hopes of winning their first championship, Garcia’s cool finish off Vilde Boe Risa’s knockdown in the 91st minute gave the delighted home crowd one more chance to win a trophy.

Manchester United are also assured of a top-three finish and a spot in the Champions League for the following season thanks to the victory. They trail Chelsea by two points heading into the final day, and in order to win the championship, they must defeat Liverpool and hope that Reading, who are in danger of being relegated, can do them a favour.

Due to third-placed Arsenal’s better goal differential, City will likely finish the season there regardless of the results on the last day of the regular season. United got things going quickly, pressing high and quickly to catch City off guard.

They didn’t have to wait long to be greeted by a spectacular goal by Ladd, who selected her spot from 20 yards out and gave Roebuck no chance. The audience also contributed by cranking the volume up a few notches every time the home team attacked.

Lauren Hemp of City, however, afterwards proved to United that they could not be complacent. The English attacker sprinted down the left side and defeated Maya Le Tissier. The home audience applauded as loudly for Mary Earps’ subsequent corner as they had for Ladd’s opening strike.

Following Roebuck’s dismissal, United attempted to frighten Khiara Keating, the team’s substitute custodian, and Leah Galton hit the cross from Ona Batlle over the bar with a volley. Alessia Russo’s appealing ball across the goal’s face gave Galton another opportunity to get close, but she pushed her shot wide. When Angeldahl equalised, United was quickly left to regret the number of opportunities they had missed. But Garcia saved hope for the jubilant home crowd by snatching a late victory, as she has done often this season. 

Due to Arsenal’s considerably better goal differential, City are now certain to finish outside the top three for the first time since 2014, their debut season in the league. In the first 20 minutes, City had to weather the storm and did well to come out losing by just one goal, but after that they enjoyed their own run of possession and opportunities.

Hemp sent Bunny Shaw in front of goal, but Hannah Blundell stopped her attempt and Chloe Kelly’s retaliatory volley smacked off the post. Nevertheless, Roebuck’s act of recklessness reduced the visitors to 10 players and left them with an uphill battle in the second half just as they were beginning to find some possibilities.

Despite being short of a man, City capitalised on their opportunities from set pieces. Kelly hit the underside of the bar following Alex Greenwood’s free-kick, and they finally scored through Angeldahl after United failed to clear a corner. City also had chances to win the match; Yui Hasegawa’s missed opportunity to finish Kelly’s ball had the visitors’ players scratching their heads in confusion, and a tense final few minutes could have seen either team score a winner.

Manchester United will play Liverpool in their next game and they will hope for a miracle to take place at Reading as Chelsea play Reading. Chelsea the league leaders are 2 points clear of Manchester United and they will go to Reading with the intention of winning the league. Whereas, the fate is not in the hands of Manchester United as they would try to defeat Liverpool and hope for a positive result at Reading.

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