Arsenal came from behind to defeat Manchester City 2-1 at the LV Bet Stadium this afternoon, keeping their Barclays Women’s Super League title hopes alive.
Khadija Shaw opened the scoring for Manchester City five minutes in, but Frida Maanum levelled the scores for Arsenal just after the hour mark. Four days after being on crutches, Katie McCabe then scored the winner for the North Londoners with a stunning effort across goal.
Manchester City took the lead with their first meaningful attack of the game. Some neat build-up play resulted in the ball being played in to prolific goalscorer Shaw who emphatically headed home. Arsenal were caught napping at the back, but there is no denying the quality of the header from the Jamaican international and current top scorer in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
Arsenal’s January transfer window signing Sabrina D’Angelo was called into an important save to deny Shaw, with the resulting set-piece providing some concern for the home side who struggled to defend against corners.
Gareth Taylor’s Manchester City side were using a fast tempo and targeting the left to dominate against Arsenal in the opening 15 minutes. The hosts did begin to find some form, but the blue shirts of Manchester City kept flooding forward, providing a significant attacking threat.
Injuries have been mounting up for Arsenal and they suffered another blow as Caitlin Foord was taken off 35 minutes in, Laura Wienroither coming on at right-back as The Gunners reshuffled their field. The winger has been in top form since the turn of the year and Arsenal fans will be hoping that Foord’s injury is not serious.
Manchester City should have doubled their lead before the interval but Lauren Hemp, who had been controlling the pace of play, skied an effort over the crossbar after being left unmarked.
Early in the second half, Arsenal were being bullied off the ball whenever they claimed possession, however, Jonas Eidevall’s side looked more lively and connected moving forward, putting pressure on a distracted Manchester City backline.
In the 62nd minute, Arsenal found a way back into the game. Manchester City struggled to clear the danger and Maanum found a way through a congested 18-yard box to beat Ellie Roebuck and level the scores.
With Arsenal looking to take the lead, Maanum forced a big save from Roebuck with a curling shot that she tipped over the crossbar. Seconds later, The Gunners got their goal when McCabe played a quick-fire shot from distance into the far corner of the Manchester City net.
Substitute Jen Beattie did well to limit Shaw’s space late on, making it hard for the visitors to find a way through Arsenal’s defence while D’Angelo pulled off some impressive saves to deny The Cityzens an equaliser.
This afternoon’s result moves Arsenal up into third position in the Barclays Women’s Super League table while Manchester City slip to fourth.
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