Manchester City beat Chelsea 1-0 in a crunch top of the table clash to move level on points with the Blues in the Women’s Super League. It was a cagey affair at Kingsmeadow that was settled by Khadija Shaw’s 14th WSL goal of the season early in the first half. The defeat was a first in 23 games at home for Emma Hayes’ side, who remain top only on goals scored.
Manchester City moved level on points with Chelsea at the top of the Women’s Super League after securing a crucial 1-0 victory over the Blues on Friday night.
Khadija Shaw’s 14th goal of the WSL season early in the game proved decisive for the visitors at Kingsmeadow, as City kept Chelsea off the scoresheet for the first time in 11 games.
The Blues, who are going for a fifth successive domestic crown, remain top of the table, but only on goals scored.
It was a clash between two English giants but it failed to deliver the kind of fireworks anticipated in the build-up.
In fact, it was with City’s first shot of the game that they took the lead after Jess Park dispossessed Erin Cuthbert high up the pitch before feeding Shaw, who finished with all the composure of a player bang in form.
The 27-year-old came close to getting a second moments later but was thwarted by a good save goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, who also did well to stop Chloe Kelly from putting Gary Taylor’s two goals to the good.
At the other end, Chelsea were denied a penalty when new signing Mayra Ramirez was caught by Alex Greenwood in the box but the referee waved away the claims.
Fran Kirby and Cuthbert then came close to snatching an equaliser in the second half for the reigning champions before City shot-stopper Khiara Keating was called into action in stoppage time.
The 19-year-old produced a double save at the death – first to deny Jelena Cankovic and then Sjoeke Nusken – to secure the three points for City and make it eight league wins on the spin.
The result leaves the WSL finely poised with eight games to go, with Chelsea and City clear of Arsenal in third by six points, although The Gunners have a game in hand.
Emma Hayes’ Chelsea face Leicester City next, while City take on Everton.
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