Manchester City midfielder Laura Coombs scored a second-half equaliser against Manchester United as the first derby of the season ended in a draw.

In what was a tightly fought contest, it took a deflected effort from United’s Leah Galton to open the scoring midway through the first half.

City shot-stopper Ellie Roebuck was wrong-footed as the ball bounced off Alex Greenwood and into the bottom left corner of the goal.

It took until just before the hour mark for the Citizens to get back into the match. Chloe Kelly delivered a cross from the byline, which deceived two United defenders before it landed near Coombs, who headed the ball past Mary Earps.

The draw means that Gareth Taylor’s side are now eight points behind league leaders Chelsea, albeit with a game in hand. City’s next fixture is in the WSL Cup, facing Leicester City on Saturday in their final group match.