The hosts dominated large spells of the first 45 despite Rebecca Knaak going close for the WSL champions, before Bunny Shaw fired us ahead early in the second half after rounding Mary Earps.
Jana Fernandez’s flicked header from a London City corner drew the hosts level with 20 to play, but the Blues hit back just two minutes later from a Lauren Hemp volley.
London City huffed and puffed, but Andrée Jeglertz’s side ultimately held on to end the hosts’ nine-match unbeaten run and extend our own to 14 in all competitions.
WHAT HAPPENED
The hosts had the brighter start at the Copperjax Community Stadium as second and third went head-to-head in a highly anticipated affair.
Jana Fernandez fired wide from just inside the box for London City’s first chance of the match, before Grace Geyoro fired high over the City crossbar a couple of minutes later.
But the standout opportunity of the first 45 saw Knaak force Earps into an outstanding save, as the German’s header was tipped onto the post and off the line by the goalkeeper, before being scrambled away.
An end-to-end half concluded with Jade Rose blocking an Isobel Goodwin effort off the line as the hosts laid siege to the City goal, and the second 45 started in a similar vein.
Once again Rose was the WSL champions’ saviour as she blocked a Geyoro effort on the line, with the midfielder’s header looking destined to open the scoring in a pulsating affair.
But Jeglertz’s WSL champions showed our clinical edge soon after, as Shaw pounced for her 11th goal of the campaign.
Played in by Hemp after an incisive City move had broken through the hosts’ defensive lines, the Jamaican rounded the onrushing Earps, steadied herself and then smashed into the net for 1-0 on 53 minutes.
It could even have been two despite London City’s continued pressure, as Shaw rattled the post with just over 20 to play from a Mary Fowler pass, but the hosts would bite back soon after.
A teasing corner into the near post was met by Jana Fernandez, who’s clever looping header found the far corner to draw the hosts level.
The momentum had seemingly shifted, but City once again showed our character to regain our lead almost immediately.
Just two minutes after the restart a Fowler cross into the far post was met by Hemp, who beat Jana Fernandez to the ball and guided home to make it 2-1.
The Blues knew a huge three points were in our hands and defended brilliantly as a unit to confirm victory and our place back at the top of the WSL table.
COFFEY COMEBACK
A poignant game to make her return from injury, Sam Coffey tallied a little over 30 minutes against London City Lionesses.
She made her City debut against them earlier this year and certainly looked right at home against the London outfit once again.
The hosts were aggressive and often looked to overload the centre of the pitch, so a strong, commanding body in Coffey helped maintain City’s lead and as a result the all-important three points.
POTM
Hemp was once again instrumental in the final third but my player of the match vote goes to Rebecca Knaak.
In her first full 90 minutes this season, the centre-back was incredible.
She provided goalline clearances, vital tackles, interceptions and stability. And did so after taking a fair few whacks to the face!
Our stalwart.
HOW WE LINED UP
LCL XI | Earps, Jana Fernandez, Perez, Corrales, van de Donk, Putellas (C), Arques, Diani, Goodwin, Mapi Leon, Geyoro
LCL SUBS | Lete, Pattinson, Linari, Godfrey, Parris, Anyomi, Cascarino, Kafaji, Thomsen
CITY XI | Yamashita, Wamser, Rose, Knaak, Greenwood, Blindkilde Brown, Hasegawa, Fujino, Clinton, Hemp, Shaw.
SUBS | Cumings, Fowler, Wienroither, Coffey, Casparij, Lohmann, Beney, Prior, Davies.
WHAT IT MEANS
City move back to the summit of the WSL table with 22 points for a few hours at least, moving six points clear of third-placed London City Lionesses.
UP NEXT
City now have six days to prepare for our next WSL assignment.
We welcome West Ham to the Joie Stadium on Saturday 7 November, with kick-off in Manchester set for 12:45 (UK).
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