Key events
Hello and welcome to minute-by-minute coverage of the Manchester derby this afternoon. I’ll be providing you with updates over the next few hours. “>Send me an email with your thoughts.
Preamble
Xaymaca will be along shortly. In the meantime, here’s what the Manchester City head coach, Andree Jeglertz, had to say before his league-leading side’s short trip to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United in the derby.
These games live their own lives. Because a derby in this city is always going to get 100% energised players from both teams at the beginning. It almost doesn’t matter what tempo you start as your opponent will be ready. These games aren’t determined by 15, 20 minutes. Definitely the longer the game goes, it can be a challenge but it’s how the game turns out and what happens. Definitely in the beginning both teams will be 100% focused and energised, they really want to get three points in this game.”
Manchester City won November’s derby 3-0, with goals from Rebecca Knaak, Khadija Shaw and Lauren Hemp. United are looking to bounce back from a 3-2 first-leg defeat against Bayern Munich in the Champions League in midweek. Their head coach, Marc Skinner had this to say:
City are top of the league for a reason but we will take that challenge on. Once you accept that challenge, you can rise to a new level.
And here’s Tom Garry’s preview of a WSL weekend full of derby clashes.