Lauren Hemp: ‘Everything she touches turns to fire’ – Praise for Manchester City star

Her equaliser at Villa on Sunday typified this when, after home keeper Sabrina D’Angelo flapped at a cross, Hemp reacted quickest after the loose ball bounced unexpectedly off her head. In one movement, she repositioned her body and deftly flicked the ball over the Canadian and into the net.

“We seem to keep doing it the hard way but we got three points in the end,” Hemp told the BBC.

“The goal, it was a good cross, she [D’Angelo] managed to get her hand to it, so I just tried to get anything on it, and it happened to come off my head. I knew the goalkeeper was off her line so I just tried to kick it over her and it managed to do the trick.”

Hemp has won the FA Cup and League Cup after joining from Bristol City in 2018, but not a WSL title – a trophy City have not claimed since 2016.

They had been leading the race last season in a thrilling climax, but defending champions Chelsea triumphed on the final day.

“It was heartbreak for us last season when we didn’t manage to win the title,” admitted Hemp.

“That’s one of our aims this season. Hopefully if we keep putting in performances like that who knows where we could go.”

For now, Hemp’s attentions turn to England duty, with the Lionesses facing friendlies against Germany and South Africa over the next fortnight as they warm up for the defence of their Euros title next summer.

As at City, her importance for the national team has grown. Not only did she start all six qualifiers, but she has kept her form and fitness while all around are losing theirs.

Lauren James will be absent for this international break through injury, while club team-mate Chloe Kelly is in the squad, despite losing her place in the City team, where she has made one start all season.

Beth Mead is also out of favour at Arsenal, benched by interim manager Renee Slegers against West Ham on Sunday. Neither Alessia Russo nor Ella Toone have scored in the league in 2024-25.

This could be Hemp’s year and, if it is, never count City out of the title reckoning.