Man City produced their best performance of the season to beat Chelsea 2-0 in the Women's Super League and leave a four-way title race on a knife edge.
Midfielder Filippa Angeldahl gave the hosts the lead with a stunning strike from edge of the penalty area just 20 minutes in. And England star Lauren Hemp arrowed in an excellent volley only nine minutes later to leave the champions reeling.
Chelsea belatedly did try and force a big finish, but with Sam Kerr having an rare quiet day, they failed to find a way back into the contest. City nearly got a third late on but Bunny Shaw narrowly headed over after good work from Chloe Kelly. The result leaves Gareth Taylor and his team level on points with Man Utd, only second on goal difference.
City were beaten by Chelsea in the reverse fixture back in September which left them rock bottom of the WSL, but have gone unbeaten since and dragged themselves back into the title picture. This win leaves them a point clear of the visitors, although the holders do still have a game in-hand.
Here are the key talking points from what could be a pivotal game in the chase for the league.
Title race perfectly poised
Had Chelsea won this game, few would have bet against Emma Hayes' team retaining the title they have swept three years on the bounce. Gareth Taylor knew this himself, the City manager labelling this one 'must win' on Friday.
And his side gave a performance fitting of the occasion. City found the perfect balance on the ball, at times letting Yui Hasegawa build attacks from deep and at times going long to Bunny Shaw, who imposed herself on the Chelsea defence all afternoon.
As they did when beating Arsenal earlier in the season, the hosts bounced back superbly from a cup exit to breath new life into the race for the WSL. The result means United and City sit one and two in the league. But third and fourth placed Chelsea and Arsenal know that if they win their remaining games, they will be champions.
This genuine four-horse race looks like it will go to the wire.
Angeldahl wonder strike gives City initiative
Chelsea had actually started fairly brightly, only for City to slowly wrestle the game back into their control. But it took a stunning effort to break the deadlock.
Ann Katrin-Berger's clearance only found Filippa Angeldahl, whose interception found Hemp. When the England winger returned the ball Angeldahl arrowed a superb effort into the top corner.
The Chelsea goalkeeper didn't move, with the Academy Stadium exploding in response, bar the travelling Chelsea fans congregated behind the goal. It was the catalyst City needed and from then on the hosts were the better side.
Chelsea look lost without Bright following win in Lyon
Chelsea boss Emma Hayes started with a back four, but without the usual towering figure of Millie Bright. The England centre-half came off in the midweek Champions League win over Lyon and although the injury isn't thought to be too serious, she was absent for the trip to Manchester.
In her absence club captain Magda Eriksson partnered Kadeisha Buchanan but the Blues looked uncharacteristically nervy at the back. With City wingers Hemp and Kelly cutting inside at every opportunity and full-backs flying forward, much of Chelsea's first half was spent frantically trying to stem the flow of attacks. With Bunny Shaw imposing herself, both Eriksson and Buchanan looked uneasy.
On this evidence Chelsea need Bright back as soon as possible. England will also be hoping the Euro 2022 winner returns to full fitness with Sarina Wiegman naming her squad on Tuesday.
Hayes' tactical switch after excellent Hemp goal fails to turn tide
Chelsea held an on-field inquest after the outstanding Hemp fired home a spectacular strike to double City's lead. Although it was a technically perfect goal, Chelsea's failure to clear the ball in the build-up was alarming.
Manager Emma Hayes responded with a double change, hooking both Sophie Ingle and the in-form Lauren James. Niamh Charles was introduced, alongside Johanna Ryting Kaneryd but, which did at least give Jess Carter some defensive help.
But the switch didn't truly turn the tide of the contest. It was a big call for Hayes to not even let her Chelsea team get to half-time before making the double change. On this occasion it didn't pay off - they were blunt in attack.
Sam Kerr's tame header in the dying seconds perfectly summed up the Blues off day.
Roebuck comes up big in the key moments
Ellie Roebuck has been one of the unsung heroes of City's long unbeaten run and made a telling contribution today. When Chelsea striker Sam Kerr went through one-on-one in the early stages you could hear an audible gasp from the home support.
But Roebuck stood firm at her near post, setting the tone for a commanding performance between the sticks. The Sheffield stopper also dealt brilliantly with a heavily deflected effort not long after City had taken the lead.
It wasn't a game where City were under pressure for long periods. But in the big moments Roebuck didn't buckle.
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