White capitalised on a defensive mix-up to give the hosts the lead and made sure of the three points with twenty minutes remaining as she tapped home from close-range after good work from Jess Carter.
Unbeaten in the WSL since April 2015, discounting the spring series, City toiled at Damson Park and struggled to create against a Birmingham side who played with great intensity.
The Blues’ best chance fell to Nikita Parris, but, with time on her side, she fired wide and after that Nick Cushing’s side were restricted to half chances.
What happened
City got off to a slow start in the Midlands as the hosts played with attacking intent and a verve which belied their sixth-place in the WSL.
Both sides were keen to get the ball on the floor and play and it made for an entertaining contest, but it was Birmingham who turned their possession into chances.
The warning signs were there early on when White miscued from Charlie Welling’s centre, before Rachel Williams surged past Esme Morgan and fired over.
City struggled to find any real rhythm but after good work down the left flank from Claire Emslie a clearance fell kindly to Parris, who shot wide.
That was as good as it got for the visitors.
A minute later a mix-up between Morgan and Abbie McManus allowed White to race onto a loose ball and sweep past Ellie Roebuck to open the scoring.
The home side continued to press and prevented the Blues from enjoying a sustained spell of pressure in the final third, though Demi Stokes did pick out Parris, but her header was comfortably gathered by ‘keeper, Ann-Katrin Berger.
With White constantly shadowing the City back four it was Birmingham who came closest to scoring next.
Stealing the ball off Jen Beattie’s toes, she raced clear but an expertly-timed saving tackle from McManus rescued the situation and with Emslie firing a free kick straight at Berger, City went in a goal down at the break.
Nick Cushing’s side improved after the restart, with Jill Scott’s galvanising energy and physicality helping to gain more of a foothold in the game.
Chances failed to manifest themselves, though, and but for White’s eagerness City would have been two down after the striker volleyed home a free kick from an offside position.
But she was celebrating moments later.
After a surging run and pass from Carter, Emma Follis picked the onrushing White out at the back post for a simple tap in.
There was no lack of endeavour from City, who surged forward in response, but encountered a resolute defence.
Cushing introduced Nadia Nadim, Julia Spetsmark and Jane Ross as he sought to rescue the game and Scott nearly capped a landmark night with a goal that would have led to an exciting finale, but her header cannoned back off the underside of the crossbar.
How we lined up…
Nick Cushing made three changes to the team that started against Birmingham in the FA Cup and handed Morgan a first start in the FA WSL.
The young defender came in to replace Mie Jans, while Emslie and Georgia Stanway also returned to the starting line-up.
Roebuck was in goal, with Morgan, McManus, Beattie and Stokes in front of her.
Walsh shielded the back four, with Christiansen and Scott just ahead of her behind the front three of Parris, Emslie and Stanway, who operated as the central striker.
What it means
With Chelsea beating Yeovil 2-0, City drop to second in the WSL table, one point behind the West Londoners.
Up next
City now have a crucial game against Chelsea, who visit the Academy Stadium on Saturday 24 February for a contest between England’s two top teams.
Tickets are on sale now and can are available at mancity.com/tickets.
That game will be the last time the Blues are in action for several weeks, as the FA WSL pauses to allow for an international break.
City return on Sunday 18 March with an FA Cup quarter-final match away at Sunderland.
