Ella Toone scored a hat-trick on her Women's Super League return from injury as Manchester United beat Manchester City 4-2 in a thrilling derby at the Etihad Stadium.

In what was a chaotic encounter in Manchester, Toone stole the show as she took advantage of individual errors amid frantic defending from Gareth Taylor's side on Sunday. 

Toone put United ahead in the 14th minute when Elisabeth Terland's attempted shot fell kindly into her path before delicately lifting the ball over the on-rushing Khiara Keating. 

The Red Devils doubled their advantage seven minutes later when Toone's corner was not dealt with, allowing Leah Galton to swivel and strike the ball home from close range. 

United continued to dominate proceedings and were rewarded nine minutes before the break when Leila Ouahabi was sold short by Keating, with Toone on hand to pounce.

But the Citizens responded shortly after with two goals in eight minutes to end the half, the first coming from Vivianne Miedema, who planted Mary Fowler's cross into the net. 

Fowler was the provider once again in first-half stoppage time, sending in a corner which was met powerfully by new arrival Rebecca Knaak to get the hosts back into the contest. 

However, straight from City's kick-off after the break, Keating made another mistake when she smashed the ball against Terland, allowing Toone to race through and complete her hat-trick. 

Just one point separated the sides before kick-off, but United have now leapfrogged City into third place in the WSL table, and are now seven points adrift of leaders Chelsea.

Data Debrief: Toone shines on derby day

Toone missed games in November and December with a calf injury, but marked her return in stunning fashion at the Etihad against a team she has struggled against in recent years.

She became the first player to make 10 appearances in WSL Manchester derbies, while also ending her nine-game goalless run against the Citizens in some style. 

Toone ended the contest having contributed a team-high expected goals (xG) tally of 0.98 to United's 2.28 total, while she also had more shots on target (three) than any of her team-mates.