Major WSL shock as Arsenal women hand Man City women rare defeat
Arsenal women claimed a vital 1-0 win over Manchester City in the Women’s Super League, ending the visitors’ long winning run and lifting their own league hopes.
The result stopped City’s 13-match winning streak and dealt them a rare setback in the title race, as they failed to stretch their lead at the top.
Olivia Smith scored early, and her goal proved enough on a tense afternoon, as Arsenal controlled large parts of the contest and stayed composed.
Smith’s strike sets the tone early
The match began at a frantic pace, with City almost scoring inside the opening moments through Vivianne Miedema against her former club.
Her effort came just seconds after kick-off, but Arsenal quickly settled and began to take control of the game’s rhythm.
Arsenal found the breakthrough in the 17th minute with their first clear opening of the match.
Smith burst forward, showing sharp pace to beat Rebecca Knaak in a foot race after a fine through pass from Mariona Caldentey.
The winger stayed calm, went around goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita, and rolled the ball into an empty net with confidence.
That goal lifted the crowd and gave Arsenal greater belief, as City struggled to deal with the pace in wide areas.
Smith continued to trouble the City back line, especially against their high defensive shape.
Just before the break, Yamashita had to stretch fully to push away a firm strike from Alessia Russo.
City frustrated as Arsenal holds firm
Andrée Jeglertz’s side showed more fight after the restart, though clear chances remained rare in a second half low on quality moments.
They tried to increase the tempo, but Arsenal stayed organised and limited openings through the middle.
Miedema thought she had drawn City level after finding the net, but the referee had already stopped play.
The decision followed a foul on Katie McCabe, leaving City frustrated as their hopes faded.
Arsenal may have counted themselves lucky at one point when Caldentey appeared to clip Lauren Hemp as she broke forward.
The official waved play on, despite Caldentey being the last defender in that moment.
Hemp later wasted a good chance from close range, slicing her effort wide and summing up City’s afternoon.
Arsenal defended with focus in the closing stages and managed the game well under late pressure.
City remain eight points clear at the top of the table with seven matches left to play.
Arsenal sit ten points behind, but they hold a game in hand that could yet prove important.
The post Major WSL shock as Arsenal women hand Man City women rare defeat first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.