Man City Women 2-0 Chelsea Women: Impressive hosts win WSL match

Manchester City have relegated defending champions Chelsea to second place in the Women’s Super League with an impressive win over the Blues on Sunday.

City’s first league win against Chelsea since 2017 means they fall at the top of the table only behind leaders Manchester United on goal difference.

Chelsea are a point behind in third place but have a game in hand.

It was their first WSL defeat since the season’s opening game, while City remain unbeaten in the league since losing to Chelsea last September.

The title contenders’ meeting that marked the women’s football weekend was watched by 5,222 fans at Academy Stadium, just short of City’s record attendance at their home stadium.

The city rises to the challenge in a must-win game

City manager Gareth Taylor said in his pre-game press conference: “We have to win this weekend, it’s as simple as that.”

Those words clearly showed City’s attitude towards the game as they pressured Chelsea and delivered one of their best performances of the season.

High pressing brought City six corners in the opening 20 minutes as they constantly attacked on the right, where Chloe Kelly threatened to slice inside – and it was from the right that goals came in the first half.

Angeldahl’s opening goal was a glorious effort from the corner of the box, her chip sending out Chelsea keeper Ann-Katrin Berger.

Nine minutes later, Kelly’s high cross from the right was only half cleared, allowing Hemp to chip the loose ball past Berger with a half-volley.

This was the 11th time Hemp both scored and assisted in a WSL game after setting up Angeldahl for the opener. Only Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead have done so more times in English Premier League games than the 22-year-old England international.

City looked like a side who have not lost in 90 minutes since September 25 and must now be considered serious contenders for the WSL title.

They could even afford for WSL top scorer Khadija Shaw, who was being watched from the stands by fellow Jamaican star Usain Bolt, to have a rare day off.

Bright absence leaves Chelsea in the dark

As good as City were, Chelsea were well below their best and manager Emma Hayes didn’t even wait until half-time before making her first changes.

Lauren James and Sophie Ingle were hooked before the break and Chelsea were sent out minutes before their break.

Chelsea were unusually shaky in defence, clearly missing Millie Bright, who picked up an injury in midweek’s Champions League quarter-final first-leg win over holders Lyon.

Hayes said Bright should be back in time to face the French in the second leg next week. She can’t bring the English centre-back back fast enough.

Going forward, Chelsea limited themselves to playing long balls over the top for Sam Kerr to pursue, which City managed comfortably after cutting off supply from midfield.

Kerr, who currently has 49 WSL goals, had few chances, shooting straight at Ellie Roebuck early on before being thwarted by the City keeper from a tight angle in the second half.

Chelsea improved after the break but their best chance of the game came in added time when Melanie Leupolz volleyed over the goal from 12 yards out.

Hayes was also concerned when Erin Cuthbert limped off with an injury in the second half, leaving the Scotland midfielder in doubt for the second leg against Lyon.