The Blues followed up last week’s 2-1 Continental Cup win over Liverpool with an impressive performance at Borehamwood and with back-to-back victories under their belt, City will look to use the victories as a springboard for their season.
In bright, warm sunshine, Arsenal were quickest out of the blocks and dominated play for the first ten minutes, pinning the visitors in their own half - but the Blues stunned the hosts by taking the lead with virtually their first attack.
With 11 minutes on the clock, Krystle Johnston fired in a shot from the right before eventually falling to Toni Duggan who chested the ball home from close range.
City almost doubled their lead three minutes later when Johnston’s low drive whistled inches wide – though the hosts were far from finished.
In a match of free-flowing attacking football, both sides had chances as the action went from one end to the other with the Gunners going close to finding an equaliser twice before the break.
There was no let-up after the re-start with the same high-tempo football continuing and Arsenal again pressing for an equaliser, though Duggan’s snapshot on the hour was a timely reminder that the Blues were more than capable of increasing their lead.
As City edged towards a historic victory, Arsenal piled on the pressure in the closing stages and it was only the brilliance of keeper Karen Bardsley that preserved the visitors’ lead.
There was still time for a manic scramble in the City box and a goal-line clearance by Chelsea Nightingale but the Blues held firm to take all three points, move off the foot of the table and head back north with their season well and truly up and running.
