MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 04: Lauren Hemp of Manchester City celebrates scoring her team’s third goal during the Barclays Women's Super League 2026/27 match between Manchester City and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on October 04, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 04: Lauren Hemp of Manchester City celebrates scoring her team’s third goal during the Barclays Women's Super League 2026/27 match between Manchester City and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on October 04, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Lauren Hemp proved to be Manchester City’s lucky charm as the Sky Blues handed Arsenal a 4-2 defeat at the Etihad Stadium. Goals from Hemp, Lisa Baum, Alessia Russo, Kerstin Casparij and Bunny Shaw treated fans to an action-packed spectacle in the fifth round of the WSL.
Starting XIs
Manchester City
Yamashita; Wamser, Rose, Greenwood, Charles, Hasegawa, Coffey, Fujino, Mead, Hemp, Shaw
Arsenal
Borbe; Fox, Wubben-Moy, Batlle, Cooney-Cross, Stanway, Baum, Little, Caldentey, Russo
How It Went
After a strong opening spell, it was the Gunners who opened the scoring through Lisa Baum. The winger pounced on a half-cleared corner to poke the ball beyond Ayaka Yamashita. It wasn’t long, however, until the hosts were level. A cross from Lauren Hemp rebounded off Emily Fox, with the goal being awarded to the City winger.
Embed from Getty Images
Alessia Russo added to the scoreline just five minutes into the second half. The Arsenal forward capitalised on a rare error from Yui Hasegawa to restore the lead for the away side. Not to be outdone, Kerstin Casparij restored the deadlock just moments after entering the pitch. The City No.18 whipped a curling shot across the box, leaving Anneke Boerbe powerless to keep her side ahead.
Hemp put the hosts ahead in the 72nd minute, slotting the ball home from a tight angle to give her side the lead for the first time in the match. The final goal of the tie came from Bunny Shaw in the 84th minute. The Jamaican international found the back of the net to ensure the Sky Blues would remain top of the table.
Up Next
Manchester City will face Brighton and Manchester United ahead of a difficult UWCL clash with PSG. Arsenal will face off against Birmingham and Tottenham before meeting Benfica in the Champions League.