How United Women can still win the WSL title
Lucia Garcia’s stoppage-time winner for United in Sunday’s Manchester derby ensured that the 2022/23 Women’s Super League title race will go to the final day of the campaign.
The Blues from West London had defeated Arsenal 2-0 earlier in the day to put themselves on the brink of finishing at the league’s summit for the fourth year in a row, but the late drama at Leigh Sports Village cut the points gap back from five to two.
It's therefore all to play for at the top as Chelsea and United, as well as the other 10 WSL teams, play their final fixtures at 14:30 BST this coming Saturday, 27 May.
United Women 2 Manchester City 1
ArticleA last-gasp goal from Lucia Garcia secured the victory for Marc Skinner's side against local rivals Manchester City.
WSL TITLE RACE AS IT STANDS
1st – Chelsea
Played 21 | Points 55
Goal difference +48
Final-day fixture: Reading (A)
2nd – United
Played 21 | Points 53
Goal difference +43
Final-day fixture: Liverpool (A)
A last-gasp leapfrog into top spot would also require a victory for Reading, as they host the reigning champions at their club's main Madejski Stadium. The Royals have their own massive incentive, as only a victory - coupled with a loss or draw for Leicester - would enable them to avoid relegation from the WSL.
View the full league table here.
Garcia: We deserved three points
Match-winner Lucia Garcia believes that United Women were good value for our derby triumph...
Should Marc Skinner’s Reds triumph on Merseyside, a loss for Emma Hayes’s Blues would see us lift the trophy, while a draw for the latter would see the two teams finish level on 56 points.
It would then be decided via goal difference, a category in which the Londoners currently lead by a margin of five. Chelsea also have a sizeable advantage in the goals scored column, meaning United would most likely need to beat Liverpool by six to win by that criteria.
But while the title race is still to be settled, Skinner's side have already confirmed one thing - a final placing in the WSL's top three.
It means the Reds will play in the Women's Champions League for the very first time next season, whatever happens on Saturday.
In fact, we are guaranteed to sign off the league season as either champions or runners-up, giving us our highest-ever position at the end of a campaign after finishing fourth for the last three years in a row.
Derby-night delight!
GalleryCheck out these photos from a thrilling Manchester derby, as the Reds reign supreme with a late 2-1 victory Man City.
FINAL DAY: HOW TO WATCH AND FOLLOW
United fans can buy away tickets here for Saturday’s game against Liverpool.
Live radio commentary will be available on ManUtd.com, MUTV and the United App, as will exclusive pre-match build-up and post-match reaction in our Match Day Live show. The broadcast will begin at 14:00 BST, 30 minutes before kick-off.
Our app, ManUtd.com and our women's team's dedicated Twitter account (@ManUtdWomen) will also have regular updates to keep you across the proceedings at Prenton Park.
Meanwhile, live TV details for supporters in the UK are still to be confirmed.