Goal.com
LiveTickets
Lauren Hemp Steph Houghton Man City splitGetty/GOAL
Jack McRae

VIDEO: Lionesses star Lauren Hemps fires Man City ahead against Arsenal and leads celebrations with Steph Houghton

WSL
Manchester City Women
S. Houghton
L. Hemp
Arsenal Women
Manchester City Women vs Arsenal Women

Manchester City and England star Lauren Hemp paid tribute to Steph Houghton after scoring a crucial opening goal against Arsenal.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

  • Hemp scores to put City 1-0 up
  • Houghton is retiring at the end of the season
  • City on course to lift WSL

  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Hemp scored past Manuela Zinsberger in the Arsenal net to put her side ahead in a crucial game in the WSL title race. In celebration, Hemp led her City team-mates over to their dugout to celebrate alongside long-serving captain Steph Houghton. It is Houghton's final home game for City before she retires at the end of the season and Hemp wanted her to share in the joy.

    • Advertisement

  • WATCH THE CLIP

  • THE BIGGER PICTURE

    The goal could prove crucial in the race for the WSL title. Victory on Sunday means that City will go nine points clear of Chelsea and require just a point in their final game of the season at Aston Villa to lift the title for the first time since 2016. Houghton joined the club a decade ago and will be dreaming of ending her career on a high.

    • ENJOYED THIS STORY?

    Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

  • Man City women celebrating Lauren Hemp goal 2023-24Getty Images

    WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER CITY?

    City will be watching Chelsea's remaining games with particular interest. The Blues have to win all three of their remaining games and hope City lose at Villa to have a chance of retaining their title. For City, the task is simple - just avoid defeat.