Man City stun Chelsea to go level on points at top of WSL

Updated: Feb 16, 2024, 10:04 pm

Khadija Shaw scored the only goal of the game as Manchester City pulled off a sensational 1-0 win at Chelsea to go level on points with their hosts at the top of the Women's Super League on Friday, with the Londoners still top on goals scored.

The defeat brought to an end an unbeaten run of 33 WSL games at home for Chelsea, who had not lost in the league at Kingsmeadow for more than two years.

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A rare error in midfield by Chelsea's Erin Cuthbert saw her lose the ball to Jessica Park, and she slipped it through for Shaw to advance and break the deadlock in the 14th minute with her 43rd WSL goal in 52 appearances.

Fran Kirby flashed a shot just wide in the 34th minute after a scything run by Lauren James spilt the City defence open, and Cuthbert sent a stinging drive just over the bar just before half-time as Chelsea tried to claw their way back into the game.

Manchester City's players celebrate after ending Chelsea's long unbeaten WSL home streak.
Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

City chose to try to defend their lead and Cuthbert almost made amends for her error in the 77th minute, but her shot from Johanna Kaneryd's pass whistled past the far post and wide.

Chelsea went even closer in second-half stoppage time as Khiara Keating made a brilliant double save to deny them, and the visitors held firm for a win that leaves both sides on 34 points at the top of the table.

Third-place Arsenal, who are on 28 points, take on fourth-placed Manchester United at a sold-out Emirates Stadium on Saturday.