Arsenal produced a roaring comeback to beat Man City 2-1 and give a huge boost to their WSL title charge while ending City's 14-game unbeaten run.
The Gunners completed a dream week after reaching the last four of the UEFA Women's Champions League, as second-half goals from Frida Maanum and Katie McCabe gave them a huge three points and catapult them to second in the table.
A week on from beating Chelsea 2-0 to bolster their title chances, City got off to a dream start when Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw planted a header past Sarbina D'Angelo. And the visitors were brighter throughout the opening 45 and would have had a greater lead at half-time had Lauren Hemp not missed a back-post sitter with the goal gaping.
Arsenal looked leggy following their European exploits against Bayern Munich in midweek but did improve after the break and levelled through Maanum from close-range after good work from Stina Blackstenius. Katie McCabe then turned the game on its' head when arrowing home a superb drive from a shot corner to put the Gunners in front.
Shaw then missed a late chance as City's lengthy unbeaten run in the league came to an end, the visitors slipping to third while Arsenal go second.
Here are the big talking points from Sunday's huge clash in the WSL.
Maanum and McCabe lead stunning Gunners' comeback
At half-time in this one Arsenal looked beaten. Their midweek win against Bayern looked to have left hardly anything in the tank and they once again had to go into a huge game minus one of their biggest players, with Kim Little ruled out by injury.
Trailing 1-0 to Shaw's early goal and not playing well, it looked a long road back for the Gunners. But Frida Maanum produced a huge 45 minutes, dragging Arsenal back into the contest.
The Norwegian got her second of the week, slotting home after Blackstenius hit the ball across the goal and suddenly momentum shifted. Maanum later forced a superb save from Ellie Roebuck, but from the resulting corner McCabe drove home a stunning drive that gave the England keeper no chance.
It was harsh on City, who had played well, but Arsenal showed remarkable character to come back from what seemed a lost cause. It was fitting McCabe got the winner. The Ireland international trudged off injured and was spotted on crutches after the win over Bayern. But she showed her metal to get back on the pitch only four days later and produce a stunning goal that could prove a decisive moment in Arsenal's title challenge.
City finally lose unbeaten run after toughest challenge yet
For so much of this season few have taken Man City seriously as title contenders, yet their quiet lengthy unbeaten of 14 games, has put them in with a great chance of winning a first WSL since 2016. After the high of beating Chelsea last week, going away to Arsenal was the toughest challenge of all. They gave everything but this proved one step too far, despite a decent display.
In addition to Shaw's early goal, Gareth Taylor's team took control of the contest from the off. As they did against Chelsea, Yui Hasegawa and Filippa Angeldal ran the engine room in midfield, not an easy task against an in-form Leah Williamson.On the flanks Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp were outstanding, both forcing good saves from D'Angelo just before the break, while Shaw should have done better with a good chance at the near post in the dying stages.
There was a lot to like about this City performance, but ultimately they couldn't keep Arsenal out when the hosts really turned the screw. Taylor can be proud of his sides' effort, but knows they may well need to win their last five games to have any chance of the title.
Bunny Shaw maintains phenomenal scoring run
City's dream start came just five minutes in thanks to a classic Bunny Shaw goal. The Jamaican forward produced an outstanding header from Chloe Kelly's superb centre for her 27th in all competitions this season, and 16th in the WSL.
Both managers had spoke this week about whether City were over reliant on one goalscorer, but on current form it doesn't matter to Gareth Taylor's team a jot. It was the sort of goal only Shaw could score and it set the tone for the afternoon, the Jamaican's physical presence disrupting Lotte Wubben-Moy and Rafaelle Souza all afternoon.
With Arsenal looking toothless in attack during the first-half, the home support could only look on with envy as Shaw showed why she is arguably the outstanding individual of this WSL season.
Arsenal lose more bodies as season reaches crucial run-in
Injury problems aren't exclusive to Arsenal this season, but they have been hampered more so than any other team at the top of the WSL. So the last thing manager Jonas Eidevall needed was to face fresh selection issues.
But the Gunners suffered a double blow in the first-half of this one. Only minutes in Katie McCabe received a needless booking when taking a throw-in.
Blocked by Chloe Kelly, McCabe hit the ball on the England star's head from close-range, getting a yellow card for her troubles meaning she is now suspended for the Gunners next league game against Everton. The in-form Caitlin Foord then limped off on 35 minutes after receiving treatment.
Although we don't yet know how serious the Aussie's injury is, it was not what Arsenal needed with a Champions League semi-final against Wolfsburg coming after the international break. With Kim Little's hamstring injury from the Bayern win enough to keep her out of action today, will injury and suspension issues catch-up with the Gunners as we approach the home straight?
Goalkeeper switch eventually pays off for Arsenal
Despite Manuela Zinsberger excelling in midweek, Jonas Eidevall switched his keepers again, bringing in Sabrina D'Angelo against City. Although the Arsenal manager didn't give one specific reason pre-match, the general thinking was that this was due to the Canadian's ability with the ball at her feet against City's aggressive press.
But this didn't translate to success on the pitch. D'Angelo got nowhere near Shaw's header for the opener and then was guilty of playing first Katie McCabe and then Leah Williamson into trouble with a short pass.
City very nearly went two up when D'Angelo knocked the ball short to the England skipper, who was immediately closed down by Shaw. The City striker quickly go a shot in, with only an excellent stop from D'Angelo keeping her at bay. When the Arsenal keeper then needed treatment just twenty minutes in, Eidevall's decision looked to have backfired.
But the Canadian stopper responded with two huge saves before half-time, first from Hemp and then from Kelly, that proved crucial to a huge Arsenal win.
Title race remains perfectly poised
Although this was another huge game in what is turning out to be the best title race in WSL history. The result isn't fatal for Man City's ambitions, but it gives real hope to Arsenal that the league title could be coming to North London. City are three points behind Man Utd in first spot, following their 4-0 win at Brighton yesterday, but they still have to play their local rivals before the end of the season.
For Arsenal, they still have a game in hand on both Manchester clubs and now sit above their opponents today on goal difference. Jonas Eidevall's team also still have to play Chelsea before the season ends.
That means if they win their final six games, Arsenal will be champions. At this stage of the season, with so many contenders, that is all you can ask for. This turnaround could prove pivotal.
NEW! Our Year: European Champions 2022 - The Official England Winners Book
With a foreword by England manager Sarina Wiegman, this is the only official book of the historic triumph, reliving every kick of a thrilling tournament and telling the stories of the players who made it all happen.
Order from https://reachsportshop.com/book/our-year-european-champion-2022/
