Arsenal produced a massive performance to beat Manchester City and bring their 13-game winning run to an end.
Man City will go on to win the WSL, of that there appears little doubt, but Arsenal’s display, coming on the back of victories over Chelsea, and in the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, means second place is now firmly in their own hands.
Before kick-off, Renee Slegers spoke about the importance of confidence, saying, “Football is a game hugely dictated by momentum and our success last weekend, following on from our win at Stamford Bridge, has boosted the belief and spirits within the squad,” and that belief was evident from the first minute to the last.
More importantly, this match showed a side finding form at exactly the right moment as the season gets serious and attention turns to the defence of their Champions League crown.
Manchester City, who boast the most lethal attack in the country, were restricted to just one shot on target and offered little in the second half.
The match was settled after 17 minutes when Olivia Smith finished with composure, rounding the keeper after a delightful through ball from Mariona Caldentey, a goal that preceded a midfield masterclass from the Gunners, who should have added more goals at the other end.
The numbers underlined Arsenal’s dominance, with an xG of 1.55 compared to City’s paltry 0.39.
Arsenal outpassed City, outshot them and created more big chances. Across every measurable metric, the home side came out on top in a game they fully deserved to win.
The midfield battle was decisive, with Mariona Caldentey and Kim Little nullifying City’s influence, while Smith was a constant threat through the middle, a role she had two-and-a-half training sessions practicing before being deployed.
After the game, Smith told the media, “It was a great result today. Obviously, City have been on a great run of games and we knew we had to be at our best today and that’s exactly what we did.
“[Playing centrally is] different but I’m happy to play wherever Renée needs me. I know we had that conversation that she might need me in that role and I was happy to play it.
“[Mariona] knows just how to play those balls to me and I’m always looking for that run as well.”
Arsenal now sit third in the WSL, two points behind Manchester United, but with a game in hand against Leicester still to be played at the end of April.
Next up for the Gunners is the Champions League play-off first leg against OH Leuven on Wednesday night.