Manchester City Women 2 Arsenal 1: Game On
By David Crook
Whilst much of the focus in the build up to this match was upon outgoing Manchester City Women manager Nick Cushing, this was a game where it was the players who did all the talking.
Manchester City Women went into this match knowing that only a win would do if we were to retain any hope of clawing the Womens Super League title from holders Arsenal.
It was not a surprise that the match was therefore played at a frenetic pace, with every challenge and loose ball contested.
Arsenal dominated much of the early play as the players stuck to their tactics and held their positions. City were rigid in sticking to a 4-4-2 formation, seemingly content to hold two stoic defensive lines of 4, which served to limit the progress of the Arsenal attack, but left Ellen White and Pauline Bremer, isolated up front and chasing shadows in a lone press.
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It was to their credit that occasionally this press resulted in possession being over turned and when Jill Scott made up some of the chasm between the forwards and midfield, City looked dangerous.
As the game went on, City began to exert some control over the proceedings, claiming their first goal in the final moments of the first half. Bremer bundled in from close range after a free kick by Caroline Weir.
Within a few minutes of the second half starting and City had a another goal. A beautiful lofted pass from Keira Walsh was met by the head of Lauren Hemp, and her headed looped in, almost in slow motion.
City’s nerves were tested after Arsenal clawed a goal back, but City did well to hang on and see the game out. There were moments of high drama as Arsenal meted out some heavy challenges, but it was the passing of Walsh and Steph Houghton which enlivened this display.
Cushing leaves his post as manager after 6 trophies in his 6 and a half years for pastures new in New York City, but he does so leaving City with a fighting chance of the title.
Whether City have the belief to win all their remaining games and seal the title will keep us all on our seats during the run in. But make no mistakes, the WSL is the most competitive league and the remaining games will be an exciting finale.