Thank you for joining me for this absolute thriller. Lauren Hemp’s first half goal put Manchester City in the driving seat but Arsenal replacement Stina Blackstenius took the wheel with two late goals. The loss for City means they have let Chelsea back into the title race. Chelsea play Bristol City tonight and a win will see them close the gap. We will be back with live coverage of that game but until then have a good day.
Here are Blackstenius’ two goals:
She loves at late goal against City!
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) May 5, 2024
Blackstenius pokes it home for @ArsenalWFC 🙌#BarclaysWSL pic.twitter.com/0qFxKSVq9Z
A precision pass from Little and Blackstenius is there again! #BarclaysWSL @ArsenalWFC pic.twitter.com/0mNO3PudyQ
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) May 5, 2024
Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall told the BBC: “We got the result we deserved, not many teams could do what we did today… We had a lot of the foundation in the first half but [we finished in the second]. I think we had some real quality off the bench today. Kim [Little] is a phenomenal player in games like this, about managing players it is like having two players.”
Man City boss Gareth Taylor told BBC: “We have always reacted well from negative results. I thought it was a bit tough on us today, I thought a draw was a fair result. We wanted to win the game today, no doubt, we wanted to be in control and we have lost a little of that.”
A fun fact for you, that loss means for the first time whoever wins the Women’s Super League this season will have lost three games in a league campaign.
Both Man City and Arsenal are lining up here to give a presentation to Steph Houghton, it is her final home game before her retirement this summer. What a player and servant to women’s football. She looks emotional as the stadium applauds her.
Stina Blackstenius told the BBC: “I got the first contact on the corner and a really good cross, I just had to get my head to it. I am happy but it was a tough game and I am proud of how we came back. I try to be in the situations and create something when I get the chance.”
One thing to note is if Chelsea win the rest of their games, which they have three left, and Man City beat Aston Villa it will come down to goal difference. City have the better goal difference, they have 46 and Chelsea have 38. Chelsea will need to score a fair few goals over the next week for a chance at the trophy.
I am actually blown away by that late Arsenal goal rush. The Gunners had not had a real punch with their execution going awry in the final third. But Jonas Eidevall introduced the goal machine that is Stina Blackstenius and she did exactly what was expected of her and scored twice. She is their top scorer this season but has more appearances from the bench, she deserves a lot of credit on her name.
Full time: Manchester City 1-2 Arsenal
What a game. What a season. The title race is still in the balance and Arsenal have performed a late masterclass over Manchester City. Wow.
Updated
90 + 10 min: Blackstenius has been given player of the match.
90 + 9 min: Russo wins a corner and Mead takes it short, she also makes sure to run down the clock as much as possible. The game management comes into play here and they do it well, they win a throw in by the corner flag.
90 + 8 min: Angeldahl does really well to keep her cool and marshal the ball around the box, Catley slips but Zinsberger is wise to it and collects. What a game and what an end to a thrilling season.
90 + 6 min: I can imagine Chelsea fans also absolutely loved that goal, the potential winner from Blackstenius means the Blues title hopes are revived. But as Arsenal just displayed everything can change in a few minutes and we have a few more here to go.
90 + 4 min: Eidevall erupts from the bench, what a finish from Blackstenius. She squeezes all the space from the goal and Keating can’t stop her. The title race is blown open. But City will want to have a final say in this game, there is still plenty of time.
GOAL! Manchester 1-2 Arsenal (Blackstenius, 90 + 3)
Blackstenius!! What a game.
90 + 1 min: There will be nine minutes added, this game is on the edge.
90 min: Mead’s delivery was good, it was pinballed around and eventually fell to Blackstenius who hit home. She may have more appearances from the bench this season but she is their top scorer.
GOAL! Manchester City 1-1 Arsenal (Blackstenius, 89')
There it is!
Updated
89 min: Here come Arsenal again, can they finally get their execution right? Not for now but Russo wins a corner.
88 min: Casparji is off with her issue, it seems to be something in her calf, and Kennedy is on.
87 min: Casparji is down injured again here, she needs some attention and so there is a break in play.
Updated
86 min: Arsenal are on the attack once more and Pelova does really well on the edge of the box to keep it as she was swarmed by City players. Mead gets it in but none of her teammates gets on the end of it, the England international looking exasperated. She has had a good few chances this afternoon but none have hit the back of the net.
84 min: Before the free kick Wienroither is on for McCabe. Arsenal take the free kick quickly and they are forced back to the halfway line, a wasted opportunity. Possession then exchanges hands in what is turning out to be a frantic end to this second half.
82 min: Russo has stayed down from the challenge and is receiving treatment, I think she should be okay to continue. And she is back to her feet as Arsenal look to take this free kick.
81 min: I think that miss sums up Arsenal’s game today, all the right ideas just not the execution. Arsenal come forward again as Foord connects with Blackstenius but Casparji does well to win the ball back. A few passes later and Russo is fouled by Hemp.
Updated
79 min: How on Earth has Foord just missed? It was a beaut of a ball from Blackstenius but Foord’s effort is wide. I am almost speechless that hasn’t gone in.
76 min: Mead takes it and it is a good delivery but it evades her targets, Casparji sees it out for a corner. It’s a good effort into the box but it’s well headed clear, it comes to Mead who punts at goal but Keating collects.
75 min: Ouahabi receives a yellow card for a foul on Mead, Arsenal have a freekick in a good position.
74 min: Viewers can hear him screaming at his players to get into action and the stadium is packed out so his voice carrying to the BBC mics is quite impressive. It hits home with a lofting pass over the top finds Blackstenius but her finish is miles over the bar.
73 min: Arsenal are still pushing, they don’t want to come away from this encounter with nothing. McCabe is down with injury here, she wants a free kick but it isn’t given. The Arsenal player is okay to continue. A few passes later Hemp is fouled and the whistle is blown, the camera cuts to Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall who sinks to his knees in frustration.
71 min: Zinsberger has a loose pass this time and Angeldahl picks it up, the City star can’t control it well enough to turn it in and she is muscled off the ball.
69 min: Hemp passes to Park but her effort is deflected out, Man City corner. Kelly takes the set piece but it isn’t the most precise kick. It does fall to Hemp who puts in a promising ball but Arsenal manage to clear.
67 min: Keating has a loose pass at the back and Mead pounces, she sets herself and takes a quick chance but the goalkeeper gets back in time to save. Mead potentially should have taken more time on that to punish the mistake.
65 min: A really good run from Arsenal but as they look to lay off the final pass it is cut out and City can counter. It must be so frustrating for the visitors, they are doing everything right until the moment it counts. City’s counter ends in a goal kick.
63 min: Arsenal win it back in the midfield and Russo lays off a beautiful ball to Lacasse but the offside flag is up. The visitors are making a raft of changes with Lacasse off for Blackstenius, Cooney-Cross off for Catley and Fox off for Foord.
62 min: Arsenal are patient in their build-up but Williamson loses out, Cooney-Cross does so well to time her tackle to stop a counter. The Gunners come forward again and City suddenly look a little loose in defence but they shore up.
60 min: A lovely bit of build-up play there, Man City really are playing some beautiful football this season. A nice one-two to send the defender the wrong way. Arsenal do manage to win it back but they don’t have much attacking vim at the moment.
58 min: Man City win it back and pull their own attack together, Coombs gets it into the area but it is repelled. They keep pressing and Fowler does well to cross in but it’s cleared again. Man City make a change with Angeldahl on for Coombs.
56 min: Pelova tries to find McCabe but her pass is blocked, Arsenal are being stifled here.
54 min: An effort comes in from Mead and it is saved by Keating but she spills, no Arsenal player is there to pick up the rebound. If they were there that was a sure goal. Arsenal are getting everything right apart from their final touch or decision.
53 min: On the replay the foul looks horrible, Lacasse steps on her ankle and it rolls in an unnatural position. Thankfully she is back to her feet and okay to continue.
52 min: Casparij is fouled and she stays on the deck which sees Lacasse given a yellow card. The City player is receiving some treatment.
51 min: Arsenal are being pinned in their own half at the moment, they have played it back to Zinsberger twice in the space of a minute but they eventually unlock their attack. Lacasse passes to McCabe but her pass is to no one and out of play.
49 min: End-to-end football here as suddenly Manchester City have the ball pinballing around in the area. Multiple City players have shots but the best one comes from Fowler and Zinsberger makes a good save to keep her out. A frantic start to the second half.
47 min: Arsenal win a corner with Mead standing over the set piece. Her delivery is really good but Greenwood, who else, heads the danger clear. Arsenal keep pushing though as Williamson controls well in the box and lays it off to Codina but her effort is wide.
Back underway! Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal
The next 45 minutes could decide who wins the WSL title this season. Arsenal have made a change with Maanum off for Little, what a player to bring on.
Have you been reading our weekly free women’s football newsletter, Moving the Goalposts? If not, they are informative pieces about the sport’s global news. This week focuses on the Zambia team. Have a read here:
There has been drama in the 2pm kick-off between Liverpool and Manchester United. Liverpool manager Matt Beard has been given a red card for abusive language but his team also leads 1-0. Catch up with all the action:
Here is Hemp’s goal (if you are reading outside of the UK you may not be able to access the video):
💬 Emma Sanders, BBC Sport:
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) May 5, 2024
"A lovely moment as Lauren Hemp leads her team-mates over to the touchline to celebrate with Steph Houghton.
Houghton immediately gives them instructions afterwards. Typical!" pic.twitter.com/2o3OxN6gCo
Half-time: Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal
A superb goal from Lauren Hemp separates these two clubs and if it stays like this Manchester City may have one hand on the title. If they do hold onto the win and Chelsea drop any points against Bristol City later on, the title will be Garth Taylor’s by the end of the day.
Updated
45 + 1 min: Russo has two attempts, the first hits one of her teammates and the next hits a City player. Both plays just looked rushed. There will be two minutes added.
44 min: Hasegawa looks like she has robotic boots that are programmed to evade defenders, she marshals the ball around the corner as Arsenal look to strike but the City star just plays it through them to end the opportunity. She is such an asset.
42 min: Lacasse gets a good cross in but it is over the head of Russo, Arsenal may be slightly stalling but they are capable of sniping a goal which could turn this game on its head.
40 min: Park finds acres of space and she passes to Kelly, her effort maybe wasn’t as powerful as she would have liked and so Zinsberger is able to save. The hosts honestly look in third gear which is scary, if they need to crank it up a notch they can.
38 min: Coombs is in the book for a challenge on McCabe, I think she wanted more from it as she tells the ref “studs were up” but it stays at a yellow. Arsenal lose possession and City are completely running the show at the moment, do they have one hand on the trophy? I think so.
36 min: Maanum takes a beat with a little problem but she is back to her feet, she is okay to continue.
34 min: Lacasse this time the one to give away a free kick with a foul on Fowler, it is in the Man City half so they will build an attack from deep. Arsenal’s frustration is starting to show though, apart from Maanum’s strike they have not had any opportunities in this one so far.
33 min: Kelly is found but she is offside, if she had timed her run better surely that would have been goal number two.
31 min: Fowler crosses it in but Williamson gets a touch to it which takes it away from any City player. The hosts keep pressing, they want to sew up this game early doors, and Park plays a lovely pass to Fowler but her reputation proceeds her and she is muscled off the ball.
29 min: Hemp looks like she has hit her face, she is touching it and called to the referee but nothing is given and Hemp is okay to continue.
27 min: Arsenal are threading things together but they aren’t precise enough. Mead picks up a pass but the offside flag is raised.
25 min: Kelly looked a bit ginger when getting back to her feet but she is okay to continue. The free kick is taken short and Arsenal win it back to snuff out the chance.
23 min: It will be interesting to see how Arsenal react here. They need a win if they want to finish in second this season, top spot is out of the question but a second spot finish would be good for the Gunners. So far they haven’t been hugely impressive after conceding, Mead has just given away a free kick for a foul on Kelly.
21 min: City smell blood and Kelly is almost through. She is sandwiched between two defenders but manages to win a corner. Fowler pops it in but Greenwood’s header is over the bar, unlucky for the England international as she was left unmarked.
Updated
19 min: The ball was passed through the team like honey running off a spoon. The pass back on the inside to Hemp was beautiful and she turns to smash it home. A lovely touch too as she runs straight over to Houghton in her celebration.
GOAL! Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal (Hemp, 17')
That was just simply skilful.
Updated
17 min: Mead takes this corner, it’s short but eventually it is delivered into the bow but Fowler sees it away. Arsenal know this is the time to hit City as they are on the back foot, a huge pass comes in for Pelova but Keating claims it.
16 min: Arsenal win a corner and the visitors momentum is growing. McCabe sends it in and Keating tries to collect but she fumbles and it’s out for another corner.
14 min: Pelova picks up with ball in a great position and Maanum takes a strike but Keating makes a fantastic save to keep Arsenal out. There has been a lot of plaudits for Shaw’s contributions to City’s title ambitions this season but their goalkeeper has had her fair say in a lot of results too.
Updated
13 min: Fowler takes the corner and two headers from City players see it goalward but Zinsberger can easily collect. If it did hit the back of the net it wouldn’t have counted anyway as the offside flag as raised.
12 min: Park is taken out by Maanum and so Manchester City have the free kick, in a good position. Kelly is standing over the ball and the delivery is good but Aleixandri is well defended by Fox. She does concede a corner though and so we have another set piece to come.
10 min: Arsenal are doing well not to fall into Man City’s trap of trying to get the Gunners to tire themselves out by pressing high and chasing the ball as the hosts continually pass it through their back line. Arsenal are slipping a lot here, is there a problem with their boots? Fox took a slip just now and she is the second player to do so in the opening 10 minutes.
8 min: Boos rain down on Arsenal as they play a lot of football between their defenders, it spurs them on to unleash an attack and McCabe sends it in but it evades Fox.
6 min: McCabe puts the ball in but it is Greenwood who is there to close down the chance. Man City immediately counter, it is initially a fast paced attack but Arsenal track back well to thwart the danger. They keep pressing though and Hemp flicks it onward but Ouahabi can’t finish it off, so close to an opener.
4 min: Man City are already creating chances with Hemp launching the ball into the box but Zinsberger reads it well to cut out the opportunity. The hosts look very confident early on. Arsenal peel away after the chance and Russo picks it up in the box but Greenwood sees it out for a corner.
2 min: The teams are finding their feet in this one. Gordon has emailed and said: “This is a huge match for City, how well will they handle it? Young players like Park and Fowler have been great recently, but Hemp, Greenwood, and Kelly all played in both the Euros Final and the World Cup Final, while Aleixandri started for Spain in the Nations Cup Final, and these are the players that must use their experience to lead City through. A draw today, however, is a good result for City, they will surely win at Villa in their last game.”
Yes Man City definitely definitely have the players to get this title over the line. Any points today and it’s difficult to see them not winning.
Kick-off! Manchester City 0-0 Arsenal
Here we go then. Can Manchester City turn the screw on the WSL title? Or can Arsenal put a cat among the pigeon? All to come.
Jonas Eidevall was asked about Vivianne Miedema’s contract negotiations, with her deal ending in the summer. He told the BBC: “When we have something to communicate we will.”
Mary Fowler has stepped up with the absence of Bunny Shaw and Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor told the BBC: “Mary has bookended this season well, she started well and she is finishing well.”
It is also Steph Houghton’s last home game with her retiring at the end of the season, Taylor added on the defender: “What Steph has brought to the club is incredible, she leaves a huge space.. You can’t really measure what she has given to the club.”
I’d love to hear from you, get in touch via email or X (@rendellx). Let me know your Sunday plans or your favourite WSL moment of the season.
One of the biggest stories of the weekend has been Chelsea’s Fran Kirby will leave the club at the end of the season. Take a read of the full story:
How does the title race shake out from here until the end of the season on 18 May? Well the two clubs who can still win the title are Manchester City and Chelsea, here are the fixtures they both have left:
Man City:
Arsenal, 5 May
Aston Villa, 18 May
Chelsea:
Bristol City, 5 May
Tottenham, 15 May
Manchester United, 18 May
Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall said: “Our mindset this weekend is only to win. Let’s be honest, one point gives us absolutely nothing in regards to where we are in the league table. The only thing that can potentially give us something is to win, so that’s our aim and that’s what we’re going to do our very best to do.”
A lot of people, including Chelsea manager Emma Hayes, have said the title race is over and Manchester City are effectively just closing out the trophy now after the Blues’ loss to Liverpool. But City manager Gareth Taylor is keeping his team focused on the task at hand. “It’s changed nothing,” he insisted on Friday. “There’s been a lot of talk around it but the objective is the same: win the next game.” Read the full piece:
Liverpool v Manchester United kicks off at 2pm BST and you can keep up to date with all of that action here:
A fun fact for you: If Manchester City win today it will be their 15th in a row which will break a record of consecutive wins set by Arsenal back in 2020.
The team news is in.
Man City do not have Bunny Shaw because of that foot injury but Chloe Kelly starts once again.
Your team to face Arsenal! 🩵
— Man City Women (@ManCityWomen) May 5, 2024
XI | Keating, Aleixandri, Greenwood (C), Coombs, Fowler, Kelly, Hemp, Ouahabi, Park, Casparij, Hasegawa
SUBS | Startup, Stokes, Houghton, Angeldahl, Morgan, Pritchard, Blindkilde Brown, Mace, Kennedy#ManCity | @etihad pic.twitter.com/dnwC1jdON4
Arsenal, meanwhile, are without Vivianne Miedema due to a minor problem.
🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) May 5, 2024
🇪🇸 @laiacodina5 in defence
🇳🇴 @FMaanum in the middle
🇨🇦 @cloe_lacasse down the wing
LET’S DO THIS, GUNNERS! 👊 pic.twitter.com/et5wMYSYcA
Preamble
Hello and welcome back to our coverage of the Women’s Super League. Manchester City are in full control of the title race after Chelsea lost to Liverpool earlier this week but they face tough opposition to keep their march to the trophy going today in Arsenal.
City are six points clear of defending champions Chelsea, the Blues have a game in hand, but if they lose to the Gunners this afternoon it opens the door for Emma Hayes’ team. There is no room for error with just two games left for Gareth Taylor’s team.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have third-place secured but a win against City would see them leapfrog Chelsea into second. That may only be for a matter of hours with the Blues playing later today but it will be a target for the London club.
City have been hit with some injuries, a significant one being Bunny Shaw who is out for the rest of the season with a broken foot. That is a blow for City but their squad depth means the likes of Chloe Kelly are getting more game time.
We can take a look at the team news now before kick-off at 2.15pm BST.
