Arsenal Women End Man City’s Invincibility 

Arsenal ended Manchester City’s 13-game winning streak in the Women’s Super League with a 1-0 victory that boosted their own hopes of a top-three finish.

Olivia Smith’s early strike inflicted City’s first WSL defeat since the opening day of the season and prevented the visitors from extending their lead at the top of the table to 11 points.

Arsenal were not in WSL action last weekend because of their participation in the inaugural Fifa Champions Cup, and the home side looked buoyed after adding more silverware to an already bursting cabinet.

City forward Vivianne Miedema went close to scoring against her former side after just 11 seconds, but Arsenal dominated thereafter and limited the runway league leaders to counter-attacking opportunities.

Smith got the winner in the 17th minute with Arsenal’s first real chance; the Canadian winger won a race with City defender Rebecca Knaak to reach Mariona Caldentey’s sublime through ball, rounded goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita and slotted into the empty goal.

The Gunners continued to utilise Smith’s blistering pace against City’s high defensive line, and Yamashita was at full stretch to keep out an Alessia Russo strike just before half-time.

City were improved in a second half of few chances and found the back of the net through Miedema, but the whistle had gone for a tug on Katie McCabe.

Arsenal were perhaps fortunate not to go down to 10 players – Caldentey was the last defender and appeared to clip Hemp as she raced towards the penalty area, but the referee waved play on.

Hemp’s shanked effort from 10 yards summed up City’s afternoon; their lead at the top of the table is now eight points with seven games remaining, with Arsenal 10 points behind with a game in hand.