Tessa Wullaert and Georgia Stanway struck in the first half at the Academy Stadium, before a Ji So-yun double levelled with a goal just after the break and a deflected free-kick two minutes from normal time.
The first of an historic ‘double header’, which saw both our men’s and women’s teams host Chelsea on the same day in two pivotal clashes in the title race, City extended our incredible domestic unbeaten run for the 2018/19 campaign but will be left disappointed.
What happened…
City headed into the clash fresh from our Continental Cup semi-final triumph over the Londoners, but as was the case on Wednesday night, Chelsea started the brighter of the two sides and almost capitalised on an early mistake, as Beth England latched onto a loose ball in the six-yard box. Karen Bardsley was alert however to block.
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The shot-stopper then thwarted the Chelsea striker’s long-range attempt before the hosts kicked into gear.
City’s first chance of the game fell to Caroline Weir, but the Scotland international fired straight at Hedvig Lindahl.
The home side would not have to wait long to break the deadlock though, as Wullaert made the most of a Millie Bright error, dispossessing the defender before bearing down on goal and firing past Lindahl.
Buoyed by the opener, City pressed for a second, forcing Lindhal into a number of stops.
On 24 minutes, Cushing’s side doubled the advantage with a well-worked move, as Jill Scott cushioned a floated ball into Stanway’s path and the forward drilled in off the far post.
Chelsea responded well with Ji and England proving the visitors’ main threat. Bardsley denied the former in the last real action of the second half but the South Korean found the net four minutes into the second half to set nerves jangling, after Steph Houghton had done well to block England’s earlier attempt.
As the visitors pressed, gaps opened up in the Chelsea defence and Parris spurned two golden chances to restore our two-goal cushion, racing clear, but on both occasions, the forward uncharacteristically drilled wide of the far post.
In a bid to claw her side back into the game, Emma Hayes increased her side’s attacking threat. Although City defended valiantly, blocking everything in our path, there was little that could have been done to prevent Chelsea’s equaliser, as Ji’s free-kick deflected over Bardsley and into the back of the net.
Both sides rallied for a late winner but instead, the spoils would be shared.
How we lined up…
Cushing named an unchanged starting XI from the one that triumphed at Kingsmeadow in midweek, with Bardsley taking her place in goal, shielded by a backline of Demi Stokes, Jen Beattie, captain Houghton and Gemma Bonner.
Keira Walsh and Scott protected the back four, behind Wullaert and Weir, while Stanway and Parris led the line upfront.
What it means…
Cushing’s side move four points clear atop the Super League table, having played two games more than second-placed Arsenal.
What’s next…
City are next in action in the FA Women’s Cup.
The Blues travel to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday 17 February in a 2pm kick-off at Cheshunt Football Club.
