Lauren Hemp inspires Manchester City to comeback win over Aston Villa
A superb display by Lauren Hemp inspired Manchester City to come from behind again to beat Aston Villa 2-1 and make it seven wins in a row in all competitions.
City had required late goals against Liverpool and St Polten over the last week to keep their victory streak going, but it was in doubt when Villa took the lead through Gabi Nunes’ excellent first-half finish.
England attacker Hemp had other ideas and levelled in the 62nd minute with a smart finish before her fine solo dribble set up Jill Roord’s winner with 20 minutes left at Joie Stadium to send City top of the Women’s Super League.
City boss Gareth Taylor remained without the injured Vivianne Miedema and, after a low-key start in wet conditions in Manchester, Villa took a surprise lead with their first shot of note.
Away captain Rachel Daly initially led the charge before she found Kirsty Hanson and she crossed in for Gabi Nunes, who produced a brilliant flicked finish on the volley to score her first goal for the club in the 20th minute.
City responded strongly with Hemp sent clear but denied by Sabrina D’Angelo and Roord then failed to convert a dangerous delivery by the Lionesses ace.
It remained 1-0 at half-time and only excellent defensive work by Anna Patten prevented Khadija Shaw from scoring a tap-in soon after the break following more good work by Hemp out wide.
An equaliser felt inevitably and it arrived after 62 minutes, with D’Angelo partially culpable.
D’Angelo failed to get a significant contact on Leila Ouahabi’s dangerous cross, but Hemp still had plenty to do and headed the loose ball up in the air before she volleyed home on the turn.
City were firmly in the ascendancy and completed the turnaround eight minutes later when Hemp raced past Noelle Maritz and Jordan Nobbs before she cut back for Roord, who blasted in for her first goal of the new campaign.
Villa boss Robert de Pauw made a raft of changes, with Kenza Dali sent on and, despite a late chance for Sarah Mayling, the substitute scuffed wide to ensure they remain winless in the division.
