Football
2022-23 English Women's Super League
MNC 
2
FT
 ARS
1
Sophie Lawson 1y

Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly score as Man City leapfrog Arsenal in WSL

First-half goals from Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly helped Manchester City to a 2-1 victory over Arsenal on Saturday and leapfrog them into third in the Women's Super League.

The two sides were played to a goalless draw in the Conti Cup semifinal on Wednesday, but City wasted no time in finding the back of the net this time out. Pouncing on a defensive mix-up, Hemp ghosted in behind Noelle Maritz before slotting home at the back post after both Lotte Wubben-Moy and Leah Williamson had failed to clear the danger.

- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

Arsenal were granted a reprieve shortly after when the hosts came forward again with goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger caught flat-footed and forced to watch as Chloe Kelly pinged the ball against her upright.

The visitors continued to allow City to attack in numbers, forcing Zinsberger to repeatedly bail them out with a number of saves until late in the first half when the hosts doubled their advantage. Another soft turnover in the away half saw City slice forward again with striker Khadija Shaw slipping the ball into the box for Kelly to fire home at the back post.

A switch of formation at the break galvanised Arsenal, even getting into attacking positions with Stina Blackstenius scything forward before flashing a shot against the post at the start of the second half.

The visitors continued to pick their moments going forward, benefiting from a free kick in a dangerous position, managing to pull a goal back when goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck failed to get across her goal and stop Rafaelle's header as it dropped into the bottom corner.

With the game far more open after the goal, the hosts had the chance to give themselves a cushion again when livewire Yui Hasegawa shot from range but the midfielder's audacious effort hit the bar.

^ Back to Top ^