Manchester City drew level on points with WSL leaders Chelsea and boosted their title hopes with a crucial 1-0 win on Friday night.
Bunny Shaw scored the only goal of the game at Kingsmeadow – her 14th WSL goal of the season – with a composed finish after only 14 minutes.
The Blues saw penalty appeals turned down in the first half, when Mayra Ramirez was caught by Alex Greenwood in the box.
They were also denied what looked a certain equaliser by a stunning double save from teenage goalkeeper Khiara Keating deep into second-half stoppage time.
After a rare home defeat for Chelsea – their first at Kingsmeadow in 34 games – only goal difference now separates the teams in the standings, with eight league matches remaining until the conclusion of the campaign.
How Man City send out a statement at Kingsmeadow
In her press conference on Thursday afternoon, Emma Hayes suggested there would be little to separate the WSL’s top two the following evening – and, for the first 10 minutes at least, that was the case. It was cagey; a slip-up could have grave implications for either team’s respective title chances.
With their first shot of the game, City took the lead. Gareth Taylor could be heard urging his side to press and the instructions bore fruit, as Jess Park caught Erin Cuthbert in possession and slipped the ball through to Shaw, who stayed composed as she drove forward and slipped the opener past Hannah Hampton.
Shaw almost had another soon afterwards, but Hampton beat the striker’s shot away after she was again found by a clever Park pass.
Meanwhile, Chelsea – who were uncharacteristically lacking fluency and potency in attack – were denied a penalty when Ramirez was caught by a last-ditch tackle from behind by Alex Greenwood. Had VAR been in operation in the WSL, the incident would certainly have been reviewed.
For the most part, the second half passed by without incident. Hayes made changes in an attempt to inject more energy and creativity, but her side had generated just 0.33 xG by the hour mark.
When captain Erin Cuthbert met a cut-back and flashed a curling shot across the face of goal, it became clearer it was not going to be the hosts’ night.
As City sat back to defend their precious in the nine minutes of added time at the end of the game, Chelsea did the opposite.
They almost benefitted from it, too, but 19-year-old Keating produced a great stop to keep out Jelena Cankovic after she caught a bouncing ball sweetly, and an even better one to deny Sjoeke Nusken as she followed up from point-blank range, securing City’s sixth clean sheet of the season and an eighth league win in succession.
Hayes unfazed by end of unbeaten run
Chelsea boss Emma Hayes:
“It [the unbeaten run] is not the sort of thing you’re going to put on my tombstone.
“I think I’ll be remembered for the medals we get at the end of the year, and my focus is on that rather than how many fans were here, or how many wins we’ve had here. For me, it’s not interesting.
“It’s close. It always has been. I’ve never felt it any different way so I don’t pay attention to it. I don’t spend time looking up or down a league. It’s like wasting time.”
Taylor: It’s a big step – but that’s all it is
Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor:
“I’m really pleased, proud of the players. I thought we defended incredibly well, and we’ve got eight games to go. We’re excited about the challenge.
“It’s a big step, but that’s all it is. It’s three points and we move onto the next. It’s a big step for us, there’s no doubt about it. We’ve kind of gone under the radar a little bit this season.
“We’ve tried to play our game as much as we possibly can, but we’ve added a bit of steeliness and determination to our defending now, we’re trying to improve our set plays. The signs are good. It’s just hard work from the players.”
What’s next?
The WSL now takes a break for internationals. Chelsea return to league action on Sunday March 3 as they travel to Leicester, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 6pm.
Man City will also be on Sky Sports after the international break. They host Everton on Saturday March 2; kick-off 12pm.
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Source : Sky Sports
