Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly shine as Manchester City beat Arsenal in Women’s Super League

Manchester City buttressed their Women’s Super League title ambitions with a 2-1 win over Arsenal.

The Gunners came into the game in front of City on goal difference, but paid the price for a poor defensive display.

Arsenal’s season had been built around solid defending, including a 1-0 win over the same side in the League Cup earlier in the week.

But three days on, they were picked apart by City who claimed the win thanks to goals from Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly.

While City could not break down an Arsenal defence over the course of 120 minutes on Wednesday, they took a mere four minutes to do that on Saturday.

Kelly was the creator, with her low cross finding her England team-mate Hemp at the far post to stroke home, with Arsenal’s defenders doing passable impressions of statues.

Arsenal had goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger to thank for keeping them in the game with a couple of smart saves.

Zinsberger could do nothing about City’s second goal on 43 minutes. Bunny Shaw robbed Lotte Wubben Moy of possession near the halfway line before driving into the box and putting the ball on a plate for Kelly to slot home.

Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall changed things around at the break, and the Gunners were much improved at the City Academy Stadium.

Stina Blackstenius hit a post for Arsenal shortly after the restart, and Rafaelle Leone Carvalho Souza drew them level on 59 minutes when heading home from Frida Maanum‘s free-kick.

Arsenal went in search of a leveller, but were unable to find a second as City held on.

The win moves City onto 29 points, two adrift of leaders Chelsea having played a game more.

Arsenal remain on 26 points from 12 games, one fewer than City.