Demi Stokes’ second half strike cancelled out Aoife Mannion’s opener, as the champions maintained their unbeaten league record.
already been crowned title winners with a 2-0 win over rivals Chelsea back at the end of September, and headed into this clash seeking a 14th win in 16 to end the WSL season as Invincibles.
The Blues dominated at the Academy Stadium but locked horns with a resolute away side, who defended well throughout with goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger in fine form.
Cushing suggested beforehand he would rotate the squad, but – wary of fellow Continental Tyres Cup finalists Birmingham’s threat - opted to make just one change as Tessel Middag replaced Izzy Christiansen. Youngster Ellie Roebuck, who represented England Under-17s in the World Cup alongside Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone, was named on the bench.
Buoyed on by an electric atmosphere and eager to carry momentum into November’s Champions League last 16 ties, the Blues started brightly.
City’s first chance of the game arrived on three minutes, as Jill Scott poked Stokes’ cross into the arms of Berger – but it would be the visitors who would break the deadlock.
Birmingham’s first foray into the City penalty area saw Lucy Bronze fell Antrine Hegerberg and Martyn Rawcliffe awarded a penalty.
At the second attempt – as the referee had not blown his whistle for the first – Mannion smashed home the spot-kick, as the Blues’ defence was breached for just the fourth time this season.
There was almost an immediate response as Stokes muscled her way into the box to get a shot away – only to fire straight at Berger.
At the other end, Birmingham pressed for a second as Abbey-Leigh Stringer volleyed wide.
Kosovare Asllani then forced Berger into another stop, having played a neat one-two with the league’s top scorer Jane Ross, while Toni Duggan almost bagged a Goal of the Season contender but fired just wide of the top corner.
Fresh from an invigorating team talk, City flew out of the blocks, almost levelling within a minute as Bronze unleashed a volley goalward, which Berger collected.
The Blues found the equaliser on 54 minutes with a stroke of luck, as Stokes’ attempted cross swerved into the top corner. Whether she meant to deceive the ‘keeper or not, only she will know – but City didn’t care.
The goal sparked the Academy Stadium into life and with momentum behind them, Cushing’s side went in search of the winner.
Scott was unfortunate to watch her long-range effort sail over the bar, while Steph Houghton looked to follow up her excellent free-kick for England in midweek with another, which was well-saved.
Duggan then blazed over and Jen Beattie forced Berger to tip over, before Scott had the ball in the net – only for the goal to be ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper.
Substitute Nikita Parris thought she’d bagged the winner but watched Berger deflect her shot onto the crossbar, and the winger chipped just over once again as the home side pressed.
The onslaught continued but City could not turn one point into three, though the celebrations could not be dampened as the party began in earnest for the champions.
Next up, City return to European action as Danish outfit Brondby IF visit Manchester in the first leg of the Champions League last 16 tie on Wednesday 9 November.
