Ella Toone's Hat-Trick Downs Manchester City

Ella Toone scored a brilliant hat-trick as Manchester United grabbed a historic win over Manchester City on Sunday. The Red Devils were history makers on Sunday night, securing their best result against City and winning away for the first time.

United had never won away to City in the history of WSL Manchester derbies. In fact, United had only won one of the past 10, that victory coming at Leigh Sports Village in the 2022-23 season. The win was a well-fought and earned victory, too, as United kept City subdued and quiet. That said the hosts made it far too easy for their local rivals, with all four of United's goals coming from City errors and mistakes from goalkeeper Khiara Keating.

City's injury crisis continues even after Sunday's defeat. Missing the golden trio of Lauren Hemp, Khadija "Bunny" Shaw and Alex Greenwood left City lacklustre and missing direction. Fortunately for Gareth Taylor, summer signing Vivianne Miedema returned from her knee injury over the winter break; without her, this could have looked significantly different for the hosts.

Sunday's defeat leaves City in fourth, two points behind United and Arsenal and adrift of Chelsea at the top of the table by nine points. Facing a crucial matchup with reinvigorated Arsenal in two weeks' time, that could mark the moment at which the title race could slip beyond City's grasp if they fail to get a result.