Manchester City started the game as the far hungrier side after their 1-0 loss in Wednesday night’s Continental Cup semi-final clash. The tempo was high with significantly quicker play that saw the home side enjoy the majority of the possession with a hard-earned 2-1 win.
Chloe Kelly’s firebolt cross across the deck served the ball perfectly for Lauren Hemp to tap home inside four minutes to give Manchester City the early lead.
City had plenty of chances to put the game to bed: Yui Hasegawa struck the crossbar, Filipa Angeldahl sent it wide and Kelly struck the upright. But, Khadija Shaw provided the opportunity when she punished Lotte Wubben-Moy again in a physical battle and charged into the visitors' box. The league’s top scorer unselfishly squared it to Kelly who finished first time to double City’s lead before half-time.
Arsenal replied at the hour mark after Rafaelle Souza nodded the ball into the bottom corner and brought themselves back into the game as City struggled to regain momentum.
City were relentless in their press for the first half and were much quicker playing out from the back than in previous games with one-two touch limits with plenty of attacking options going forward. The game looked more spread out against Arsenal’s back three who seemed nervous when City’s front three got hold of the ball.
The three points will see City enter the International break in third place in the Women’s Super League table, level on points with Manchester United and two points behind league leaders Chelsea.
Player ratings:
Ellie Roebuck - Claimed the ball in a busy, dangerous area but slowed the game down with her distributions. Watched the ball roll into her bottom corner from a header by Arsenal's Souza. 5
Kerstin Casparij - Struggled against the pace of Rafaelle Souza in the opening minutes down the right flank. Got across the pitch to the left side to cover her back four that pushed up, on Arsenal’s counterattack in the first half - no messing clearances. Didn’t get as high up the pitch as usual. 7
Laia Aleixandri - Another strong performance, stood Victoria Pelova well with the help of Greenwood. She cut in and drove through the centre more often and looks more comfortable there than on the left. 8
Steph Houghton - Organisation at the back was on form, her experience and ability to read the game kept her one step ahead. Dealt with Stina Blackstineus well on the 1-vs-1 through on goal. 8
Alex Greenwood - Stood very well and kept the line neat to play Arsenal’s frontline offside early on. In constant communication with the rest of the back line and organised well. No-nonsense performance. 8
Laura Coombs - Perfectly weighted through ball to Hemp gave her a clear run through on goal, clever and strong link-up play with Hemp, Hasegawa and Angeldahl in the middle triangle. Her work ethic in the middle never dipped and she got the better of Leah Williamson in the middle. 8
Chloe Kelly - Untouchable on the right flank when she’s at full speed, had a lot of joy out wide. Troubled Arsenal’s back three, she got the assist for Hemp’s goal with a low cross. 8
Lauren Hemp - Lurked back post to net an early goal and give City the lead with what is possibly her first touch of the game. She took a fair few hits as she looked terrifying along that left flank. 8
Filippa Angeldahl - Well-timed slide tackle to deny the Gunners early on, strong link-up play in the middle just needs to take her chances and back herself to take a shot on goal. When she did grow in confidence her shot on goal just skimmed the upright from outside the box. Was all over the pitch, a fantastic work ethic. 8
Khadija Shaw - Had plenty of chances but struggled to put the ball in the back of Arsenal’s net. Her high press with Hemp saw her steal possession from Wubben-Moy but was unfortunate to not find the net. But set up Kelly in City’s second goal with a low cross. 8
Yui Hasegawa - Strong on the ball, taking it on the half turn and playing the ball out to open the play. Had a lot of time in the middle to turn and play the ball. A solid and reliable performance as always. 8
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