Hemp double lifts Manchester City past Arsenal to fifth straight WSL win

Manchester City maintained their winning start to the Women's Super League season by beating Arsenal 4-2 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, October 4. Lauren Hemp scored twice as the defending champions overturned two deficits to secure a fifth victory in five league matches, according to Reuters reporting carried by CNA.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SLx39DkmdE

Arsenal opened the scoring through Lisa Baum in the 43rd minute, only for Hemp to equalise in first-half stoppage time. Alessia Russo restored the visitors' advantage four minutes after the interval. Arsenal were ahead for a second time, but three further City goals left them without a point from the encounter.

City's official match report identified manager Andrée Jeglertz's substitutions just after the hour as an important moment in the turnaround. Substitute Kerstin Casparij brought the hosts level in the 63rd minute with a curling shot from inside the penalty area. Hemp then scored her second in the 72nd minute, converting a Yui Hasegawa delivery to give City their first lead.

Bunny Shaw completed the scoring in the 84th minute. City's report described the striker turning away from Leah Williamson before finishing into the corner, as Arsenal's attempts to recover left space for the hosts. The club named Hemp player of the match, crediting her with an assist as well as her two goals.

In comments to BBC Sport reproduced on City's website, Hemp said recovering twice reflected the team's character. She emphasised the players' commitment to competing for possession and their determination to finish the job. She also acknowledged Arsenal's quality, pointing to the visitors' passing and attacking play during a difficult contest.

Reuters reported that Arsenal dropped to 10th with five points from five matches, having not won in the league since the opening weekend. City have 15 points, two more than second-placed Chelsea. The defeat followed Arsenal's 1-0 loss at Chelsea, making this their second consecutive league reverse.

City also remain unbeaten across all competitions this season, according to the club's account of Hemp's reaction. The Arsenal victory came less than three days after a 1-1 Champions League draw with Real Madrid. Hemp said the players would now head into the international break before reuniting to try to sustain their league form.