Hemp double drives Manchester City comeback in 4-2 win over Arsenal

Lauren Hemp scored twice as Manchester City beat Arsenal 4-2 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, The Guardian reported. City's official match report confirmed that the defending Women's Super League champions had won all five of their opening league matches, recovering from two separate deficits to preserve their perfect record.

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Arsenal made the breakthrough through Lisa Baum in the 43rd minute, but City responded in first-half stoppage time. According to City's matchday commentary, Hemp's attempt appeared to take a deflection off Emily Fox before going in. The equaliser ensured the teams reached the interval at 1-1 despite Arsenal having taken the lead so close to the break.

Arsenal also had to make a change before the interval. City's live account recorded Mariona Caldentey leaving the field following an injury, with Caitlin Foord replacing her in first-half added time. The change came before an opening spell of the second half in which both teams threatened to score again.

Shaw had an opportunity in the 48th minute after Aoba Fujino sent her through, but a heavy touch interrupted her one-on-one chance against Anneke Borbe. A minute later, Alessia Russo restored Arsenal's advantage. City's commentary described her shot from the 18-yard box finding the bottom-left corner, putting the visitors back in front at 2-1.

City manager Andrée Jeglertz made changes just after the hour, and substitute Kerstin Casparij equalised in the 63rd minute with a curling effort from inside the area. Hemp then converted a Yui Hasegawa cross in the 72nd minute, completing her double and giving the hosts their first lead of the afternoon.

Shaw added City's fourth in the 84th minute. The club's report described the striker turning away from Leah Williamson before finishing into the corner, ending Arsenal's hopes of taking something from a match they had led twice. City had scored three unanswered goals after Russo's strike.

The result left City top on 15 points, with Chelsea second on 13 and London City Lionesses third on 12, according to the club's published standings.