Lauren Hemp fires Man City to comfortable win over tired Chelsea

Tom Flathers/Manchester City FC via Getty Images

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Manchester City claimed a comfortable 2-0 win over Women's Super League title rivals Chelsea thanks to first-half goals from Filippa Angeldahl and Lauren Hemp.

A handful of half chances went begging at either end before the hosts broke the deadlock midway through the first half when Flippa Angeldahl pounced on a poor goal kick from Ann-Katrin Berger.

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City struck again nine minutes later when Hemp found some space at the edge of the box and curled a superb effort into the far side of the goal.

Chelsea looked fatigued during Sunday's clash, playing just days after beating Lyon in the Women's Champions League. Emma Hayes' side looked to play on the counter attack against City but struggled to get forward in numbers.

"The game was very difficult, your minds can want to do a million things If your legs can't , that's the challenge," Hayes said after the game.

The Chelsea boss was displeased at the first-half performance and opted for a double substitution after just 36 minutes. Chelsea did at least muster more attacking drive after the break but for their increased possession, still failed to trouble opposing goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck.

The reigning WSL champions faced an even tougher task when midfielder Erin Cuthbert was forced off through injury with 15 minutes remaining.

Pushing for a goal until the whistle, Chelsea failed to get the better of the City defence.

Chelsea began the weekend at the top of the table but are now in third place having been leapfrogged by Manchester United and City.