Three Manchester United howlers give Man City Women another derby win

It was a tale of two team-talks as Manchester City were gifted a second derby win in as many weeks against Manchester United in the Women's FA Cup thanks to three howlers from the home defence.

After City secured Women's Super League bragging rights a fortnight ago, these sides were back in action in the FA Cup and both managers agreed before the game that it was a tie more suited to a semi-final or final than in the fourth round.

By full time, United's defending had seen them throw away a golden opportunity to reclaim the bragging rights and win a first major trophy.

After the WSL defeat, United boss Skinner challenged his players to be more aggressive in their individual battles, and take the game to City more. He made three changes to that side, bringing back Leah Galton, Jackie Groenen and Martha Thomas, and the attacking trio made an impact immediately. He had told City exactly what to prepare for, but the Blues had no answer for it.

With United on the front foot early on, Maria Thorisdottir headed over at the back post before Ella Toone forced a smart save from Ellie Roebuck to tip the ball over. Form the resulting corner another dangerous Katie Zelem set piece evaded everyone and curled in at the back post to give United a 12th minute lead.

Read more on how the game unfolded:

In the match programme, Zelem had hit back at social media chatter that United players were not committed enough as they were being friendly with their City counterparts at full time two weeks ago.

Between that game and this one, 12 players across both teams were on England duty, with more on international duties with their various nations.

Many women's players are friends from youth and international level, she said, arguing: "It's a