City move third in the WSL after Arsenal victory

Lauren Hemp opened the scoring with her 50th for the Club on four minutes after meeting a brilliant cross in from the right by Chloe Kelly at the back post.

Bunny Shaw had a couple of glorious chances to double our advantage but she was met by an resolute Manuela Zinsberger in the Gunners goal.

But Kelly sent City in at the break two to the good as she fired home on 43 minutes after being played in by constant menace Shaw.

The visitors did halve the deficit through defender Rafaelle on 59 minutes after she nodded home an accurate header.

But City held on to ensure a fully deserved three points - and inflict only a second away defeat for the Gunners in their last 22 games.

What happened

The 4,542 crowd were expectant ahead of kick-off for this exciting WSL clash.

But the afternoon started on a sombre note as the whole stadium fell quiet for a minute’s silence as a mark of respect for those affected by the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

When the whistle did blow, it was an impressive start for Gareth Taylor’s team, who came out of the blocks fast and furious.

Lauren Hemp opened the scoring on four minutes as she hit a milestone 50 goals for the Club.

The wing wonder was on hand at the back post to prod home the ball after a brilliant pinpoint cross from the right channel by fellow wide woman, Chloe Kelly.

The Gunners looked to level matters on seven minutes when Victoria Pelova’s deflected cross almost found Caitlin Foord at the far post while three minutes later Kim Little fired one in from distance but it was straight down Ellie Roebuck’s throat.

City were back on the front foot on 12 minutes with three players involved in a snappy move down the left. Hemp fired in the ball, which Bunny Shaw glanced into the path of Kelly, the winger firing against the foot of the post.

The assistant referee flagged for offside but the impetus shown was a sign of City’s growing confidence.

City could have been awarded a penalty on 14 minutes as Lotte Wubben-Moy and Hemp challenged for a loose ball in the box, with the defender appearing to catch our goalscorer before making contact with the ball.

Yui Hasegawa – our best player in the first half – fired a half volley over the bar on 18 minutes as Taylor’s team strove for a second.

Next, on 23 minutes, Laia Aleixandri went close when the ball came off Hemp and into her path – but the defender couldn’t find the target when well-placed.

Shaw had a golden opportunity to make it 2-0 on 26 minutes as she went through on goal after a stray ball across the box by Arsenal’s Wubben-Moy.

However, the striker’s powerful shot was kept out by Manuela Zinsberger, who also stopped Kelly and Shaw in their tracks on 28 minutes and 32 minutes with further efforts.

With the clock ticking down to half-time, Taylor will have been somewhat frustrated with a 1-0 scoreline, given our dominance.

But his team ensured a more upbeat interval team talk as they doubled the advantage, an onrushing Shaw playing in Kelly to fire home on 43 minutes.

Stina Blackstenius sprung the offside trap on 50 minutes and, after racing goalwards, the forward saw her shot cannon off the post, then cannon off Roebuck and go wide in a real let-off for the hosts.

Laura Coombs was like a bee buzzing in the backline on 53 minutes, winning the ball deep into Gunners territory and playing it to Shaw.

The Jamaican played it back to Coombs in the box but the energetic midfielder had a shot charged down and cleared.

The Gunners pulled one back on 59 minutes as they halved the deficit with an accurate header by defender Rafaelle.

Hasegawa, showing intelligence and intent in the central ground, blasted a shot against the bar on 67 minutes with Zinsberger stranded.

Kelly played in Hemp, after wonderful individual build-up play, but the winger fired too close to the keeper with her sweet left foot.

Kathrine Kuhl almost headed into her own net as she met a cross into the box by Kelly on 78 minutes.

Alex Greenwood produced a magnificent tackle in her own box on 89 minutes to deny the dangerous Gio Queiroz, who was eyeing an equaliser with the clock ticking down.

The Academy Stadium erupted after three minutes of stoppage time elapsed, signalling three points for the impressive hosts.

Player of the Match: Chloe Kelly

Chloe Kelly made one and scored one in the 2-1 victory over Arsenal.

She was inspired throughout the match as she showcased her pace and grace in the Academy Stadium win over the Gunners.

She told waiting press post-game: “When I’m enjoying myself, I think that’s when I’m at my best.

“I’m having fun really, like I’m a little girl again playing football.

“I’m playing with such a great bunch of girls. It’s brilliant.”

How we lined up

Ellie Roebuck started between the sticks, shielded by a back four of Kerstin Casparij, Alex Greenwood, Steph Houghton and Laia Aleixandri.

Yui Hasegawa, Filippa Angeldahl and Laura Coombs made up the midfield three, while Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp started on the flank.

Bunny Shaw led the line as centre-forward at the Academy Stadium.

Starting XI: Roebuck, Casparij, Houghton (C), Greenwood, Aleixandri, Hasegawa, Angeldahl, Coombs, Kelly (Raso 90’), Shaw, Hemp.

Unused subs: MacIver, Castellanos, Ouahabi, Fowler, Blakstad.

50 up for Hemp

Lauren Hemp reached an impressive milestone this afternoon.

The wing wonder notched up her 50^th City goal today in the 2-1 win over Arsenal.

The four-time PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year, who signed for City in May 2018, reached that number with a brilliant finish on four minutes.

Hemp, part of the WSL Team of the Year in 2021/22 as City claimed the Continental Cup, nudged the ball home after a brilliant cross into the danger zone by Chloe Kelly, who would go on to score our second in the latter stages of the first half.

What it means

Today’s victory sees up leapfrog our opponents, Arsenal, as move into third in the WSL.

We are now on 29 points from 13 games behind Manchester United (29/12) in second and Chelsea (31/12) at the summit.

Up next

We switch competitions for our next match as we compete in the FA Cup against Bristol City.

Gareth Taylor’s side will travel to the Robins High Performance Centre on Sunday 26 February, with kick-off scheduled for 14:00 (UK).

We progressed into the fifth round with a comprehensive 7-0 victory over Sheffield United last time out in the competition.

A Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw hat-trick alongside a Julie Blakstad brace and further strikes from Chloe Kelly and Deyna Castellanos secured victory at the Academy Stadium.