Manchester United Women travelled to the capital to take on newly-promoted London City Lionesses in the second match of the Women’s Super League.
First half
The Red Devils got off to the perfect start when they won a penalty inside the first 10 minutes of action.
Melvine Malard, who scored a brace against Leicester City last weekend, was dragged back in the area.
The whistle blew and captain Maya Le Tissier stepped up to confidently slam the ball down the middle of the goal to give the away side the lead.
London City responded well to the setback and after good work down the left, Alanna Kennedy had an effort from close range but it was well stopped by the ever impressive Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
The American keeper had to be on her toes once again as she got down quickly to deny Saki Kumagai’s diving header.
After 20 minutes, United responded when an Anna Sandberg free kick was expertly stopped by Elene Lete in the home side’s goal.
The hosts responded once again as Tullis-Joyce kept out Izzy Goodwin from close range.
The top teams don’t always have to be on top to punish you and Marc Skinner’s side demonstrated that point after 33 minutes.
In a well-worked move, Le Tissier played a long ball to Canadian full back Jayde Riviere.
She unleashed a fierce shot from a tight angle and beat the keeper to give the Red Devils some breathing space. It will have been an excellent way to bring up her 50th appearance for the club.
It’s also a milestone day for Jayde and Hini! 🫶 pic.twitter.com/ZCoVDWfe1T
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) September 14, 2025
United pushed for a third but were not able to add to their total before the half-time whistle blew.
Second half
The Red Devils began the second half in wonderful form and Malard added her side’s third goal of the match after 47 minutes.
The Frenchwoman was slipped in by the impressive Jess Park and fired into the corner to put the game to bed for the visitors.
United’s afternoon got even better just moments later when Anna Sandberg played a one-two with Celin Bizet and sent in a lovely ball which Malard headed home.
It was her fourth goal of the fledgling season and head coach Marc Skinner will be delighted with her form so far in the 2025/2026 season.
Sadly, United’s afternoon suffered a blip when veteran defender Millie Turner had to be stretchered off after staying down under a London tackle.
Both teams had their moments of control but the half meandered on without many chances, with United surely having Thursday night’s second leg Champions League qualifier against SK Brann in the back of their minds.
Former United player Nikita Parris came back to her haunt her old side when she headed home for the hosts after 76 minutes to ensure United could not keep consecutive league clean sheets.
The home side pushed for further goals and were dangerous from set pieces.
Nonetheless, it was United who showed their class when the impressive Jess Park added her side’s fifth and her first in red.
She carried the ball forward, cut inside and rifled the ball into the top corner in a truly stunning first goal for her new side.
The action wasn’t done there, as London City hit the crossbar in the dying embers of the match.
The full-time whistle blew and United will turn their attention to overcoming a one goal deficit against Brann in the Champions League on Thursday night.
Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images
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Alex Browne
Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.
