After a slow start to the season, Manchester City Women have now forced themselves into the heart of the title race. City have won 4 on the bounce in the league, and sit just 3 points behind the leaders Chelsea with a game in hand.
City’s latest conquest came at the home of one of their main title rivals, Arsenal. England star Lucy Bronze headed the Blues in front on 23 minutes, the ball just crossing the line despite the last ditch efforts of fellow International full back Alex Scott.
Arsenal replied straight after the break, Dan Carter setting up Alex Scott to expertly chip City keeper Karen Bardsley. The visitors kept their composure and were back in front on the hour mark. Isobel Christiansen tapping in after good work from Bronze.
Toni Duggan continued her rich vein of form to put daylight between the two sides. City’s number 9 collected the ball from Demi Stokes on the corner of the box and from the unlikeliest of angles produced an unstoppable shot into the top corner. Duggan has scored 5 goals in 4 games since returning from the World Cup.
Natalia Pablos Sanchon reduced the deficit late on but City held on to take all three points. The defeat leaves Arsenal third, two points adrift of Chelsea with four games to play.
Chelsea returned to the WSL summit with a convincing 4-0 win over struggling Birmingham City. Eni Aluko pounced to give the recent FA Cup winners the lead on 34 minutes, after Rebecca Spencer had saved Drew Spence’s effort.
Emma Hayes’ side then suffered a setback when they had Gemma Davison sent off for a second bookable offence. The former Arsenal and Liverpool forward adjudged to have dived just before half time. Despite being a player down, Chelsea doubled their advantage in first half stoppage time when Gilly Flaherty got on the end of a corner.
Birmingham, who have netted just twice all season, continued their struggle going forward. At the other end Aluko put the result beyond doubt, converting from the spot just three minutes into the second half, after Aofie Mannon handled in the box.
Record signing Fran Kirby then came off the bench to make her first appearance for the London club. Kirby needed just 15 minutes to make her mark, proving why she was labelled the ‘Mini Messi’, by skilfully lobbing the ball over Spencer.
Chelsea now move back to the summit of the league, having relinquished the top spot briefly following back to back league defeats at the hands of Sunderland and Man City.
Former leaders Sunderland dropped back to the 2nd after being held to a 2-2 draw at home to 2014 champions Liverpool. A late equaliser from veteran Kelly McDougall rescued a point for the Lady Black Cats after goals from Natasha Dowie and Rosie White had cancelled out Beth Mead’s 13th goal of the season.
Sunderland now lie a point behind Chelsea and one clear of Arsenal in third. Liverpool’s title challenge is effectively over, they are a full 10 points behind the leaders but do boast a game in hand. Meanwhile at the bottom, Bristol Academy’s midweek win over Notts County moves them within a point of Birmingham as they look to avoid relegation to the second tier.
