Manchester City reached the quarter-finals of the Women’s League Cup by beating neighbours Manchester United.
Chloe Kelly, who had earlier hit the crossbar, put City ahead when she collected a Lauren Hemp cross before firing past Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
Hemp got on the scoresheet to provide City’s second, following up a Tullis-Joyce save from close range.
United pulled one back through Nikita Parris in injury time but it was too late to inspire a comeback.
Victory meant City leapfrogged United at the top of Group D and secured automatic progression from the group stage.
The five group winners qualify for the quarter-finals alongside the best two second-placed sides, decided on points-per-game as groups differ in size.
City join Chelsea at the quarter-final stage, who receive a bye due to their participation in the Champions League group stage.
United’s 2.25 points per game should qualify them for the knockout stage, with only Tottenham, who play on Thursday, able to better that tally.
However, Aston Villa possibly fielded an ineligible player in their 7-0 victory over Sunderland in Group A. Sport understands the Football Association is investigating whether Villa did so when they brought on Noelle Maritz as a substitute, who has previously played in this season’s competition for Arsenal.
Should the result be awarded to Sunderland – and Villa not receive a harsher punishment – then Villa will be level on points-per-game with United but have a better goal difference, while Sunderland would win Group A.
Elsewhere, England captain Leah Williamson made her return after an anterior cruciate ligament injury in Arsenal‘s 6-0 victory over Reading, which saw the Gunners win their group.
Second-tier London City reach quarter-finals – round-up
Championship side London City Lionesses are the only second-division team left in the competition after they won Group C by beating Crystal Palace 2-1.
Brighton, who won 2-1 away at Charlton, have won Group E.
Tottenham could qualify as one of the best second-placed sides on points-per-game when they play Southampton on Thursday (19:45 GMT).
Leicester, who finished third in Group B, thrashed Everton 5-1.
Watford’s game at home to Lewes in Group C was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, although neither team can progress from the group stage.
Line-ups
Man City Women
Formation 4-3-3
- 35Keating
- 18Casparij
- 4AleixandriSubstituted forHoughtonat 84′minutes
- 5GreenwoodBooked at 42minsSubstituted forMorganat 85′minutes
- 15Ouahabi
- 20RoordSubstituted forAngeldahlat 9′minutes
- 25Hasegawa
- 7CoombsSubstituted forParkat 77′minutes
- 9Kelly
- 21ShawSubstituted forFowlerat 77′minutes
- 11Hemp
Substitutes
- 1Roebuck
- 3Stokes
- 6Houghton
- 8Fowler
- 12Angeldahl
- 14Morgan
- 16Park
- 22MacIver
- 30Mace
Man Utd Women
Formation 4-3-3
- 91Tullis-Joyce
- 6Blundell
- 4Le TissierBooked at 20mins
- 21Turner
- 15Evans
- 10ZelemSubstituted forLaddat 78′minutes
- 8GuerreroBooked at 45minsSubstituted forTooneat 65′minutes
- 16Naalsund
- 17GarcíaSubstituted forMalardat 78′minutes
- 28WilliamsSubstituted forda Silva Ferreiraat 65′minutes
- 22Parris
Substitutes
- 7Toone
- 9Malard
- 11Galton
- 12Ladd
- 23da Silva Ferreira
- 27Earps
- 58Chadwick
- Referee:
- Lauren Impey
- Attendance:
- 4,818
Live Text
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Match ends, Manchester City Women 2, Manchester United Women 1.
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Second Half ends, Manchester City Women 2, Manchester United Women 1.
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Attempt saved. Geyse Ferreira (Manchester United Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
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Goal! Manchester City Women 2, Manchester United Women 1. Nikita Parris (Manchester United Women) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Hayley Ladd.
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Attempt missed. Leila Ouahabi (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from outside the box is too high following a corner.
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Corner, Manchester City Women. Conceded by Millie Turner.
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Delay in match because of an injury Leila Ouahabi (Manchester City Women).
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Corner, Manchester United Women. Conceded by Esme Morgan.
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Attempt blocked. Ella Toone (Manchester United Women) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Substitution, Manchester City Women. Esme Morgan replaces Alex Greenwood.
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Substitution, Manchester City Women. Stephanie Houghton replaces Laia Aleixandri.
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Chloe Kelly (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Hayley Ladd (Manchester United Women).
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Delay in match because of an injury Laia Aleixandri (Manchester City Women).
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Laia Aleixandri (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Nikita Parris (Manchester United Women).
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Substitution, Manchester United Women. Melvine Malard replaces Lucía García.
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Substitution, Manchester United Women. Hayley Ladd replaces Katie Zelem.
