Ella Toone hits hat-trick as United triumph over City in Manchester derby
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The England midfielder Ella Toone scored a hat-trick as Manchester United recorded their first away win away at Manchester City, in a derby that was defined by an error-strewn display from the young Manchester City goalkeeper Khiara Keating. The lively match was at odds with the standout theme of Manchester United’s season so far – clean sheets but not enough goals of their own. On Sunday they took greater risks and were rewarded aplenty as they moved above their sloppy neighbours and into third in the table.
![[Rebecca Knaak scores for Manchester City against Manchester United]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3849bfed167ea17ecc044c2e55744e1b687b6b07/0_0_5226_3135/master/5226.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
This was a Manchester derby that was missing several of the two teams’ big-name stars – the home side were without important players including their usual captain, Alex Greenwood, her fellow England international Lauren Hemp and their top scorer, Khadija Shaw, all through injury. Manchester United’s midfield duo of Grace Clinton and Simi Awujo were fit enough only for the bench, while their Norway international Lisa Naalsund remained out.
City, who were also without Chloe Kelly as doubts about her future at the club continue to intensify, were undeniably fielding a weakened squad. None of that, though, could excuse the shambolic nature of the first-half defending from Gareth Taylor’s side, with Keating in particular enduring a torrid opening 45 minutes.
Keating repeatedly gifted away possession with wayward passes, under pressure from Manchester United’s high-pressing frontline. The visitors could easily have found themselves with a four- or five-goal lead had the Norway striker Elisabeth Terland not spurned two excellent opportunities that were offered to her and had Leah Galton’s early effort not struck the side netting. Terland poked wide in the first 30 seconds and, with just over a minute gone, Toone placed a shot straight at Keating, as the home side appeared to be sleepwalking into the contest.
