Despite Arsenal’s Women not playing this weekend, they were able to strengthen their grip at the top of the table as Manchester City beat Birmingham, the only other side not to have dropped points this season.

Arsenal don’t play again until mid-October thanks to the way the league is organised and the international break, but they will go into this break feeling very pleased with themselves.

Before this weekend’s round of games, Arsenal were top on goal difference having collected nine points from their three matches.

arsenal women
via Arsenal.com

Birmingham City had also won their first three but on Sunday, they came up against a City side determined to close the four-point gap that had already opened up between them and the top of the table.

City fell behind after just eight minutes when Abbie McManus scored a quite wonderful OG from around 50-yards out:

https://twitter.com/BBCSport/status/1046401919210541056

Four minutes after halftime Manchester City were two down when Meaghan Sargeant struck but goals from Caroline Weir and Nikita Parris drew them level before Tessa Wullart’s deflected effort after 73 minutes gave them all three points.

Arsenal are still one point ahead of City and three ahead of Chelsea with a game in hand on both.