Man City overcome Arsenal 4-2, piling pressure on Slegers | OneFootball

Manchester City defeated Arsenal 4-2 in the Women’s Super League, ramping up the pressure on Renee Slegers.

Five wins in their opening five fixtures has seen Andree Jegelrtz’s side kick off their WSL title defence in imperious fashion.

Arsenal, meanwhile, find their title ambitions already on the verge of ruins. It is back-to-back defeats for the Gunners, who have not won since the opening day and now sink to tenth place. It is a poor start to the season that leaves Slegers’ position as manager in peril.

Nevertheless, it was not a performance without positive signs for the Gunners. They took the initiative from the off, twice going close in the opening ten minutes. The visitors remained the superior side throughout the opening period, and eventually got their just reward.

In the 43rd minute, Arsenal opened the scoring, to the delight of the travelling support. Alessia Russo’s delivery found Lotte Wubbon-Moy, who directed a header at goal which was eventually prodded home by Lisa Baum.

Although there were questions over offside, that goal did not prove decisive. City found an instant response to falling behind and were level before the break, courtesy of a deflected Lauren Hemp strike. The away side’s woes were made worse, as Mariona Caldentey was unable to continue and was forced off before play restarted.

The hosts had a golden opportunity to get their noses in front just after half-time, as Khadija Bunny Shaw charged clean through on goal. However, a poor touch from the Jamaican saw her overrun it and the chance wasted. She watched on as Arsenal went up the other end and immediately made City pay.

Yui Hasegawa was the culprit, giving up possession cheaply inside her own area. She played it straight to Alessia Russo, of all people, who took a touch and wrapped it into the top corner. Here first league goal of the season reinstated Arsenal’s short-lived lead.

Despite this, City would seen level again. Shortly after the hour mark and just moments since she entered the action, Kerstin Casparij equalised for City with her first touch of the match – a splendid curling effort.

Not content with a point, the champions pressed on in search of all three. Five minutes later, a brilliant touch from Leah Williamson to take it off the toe of Shaw, denying an almost certain goal. Another five minutes and City finally took the lead.

Hemp was found at the back-post with time to take a touch and coolly slot under the goalkeeper. It was a goal that, despite the evenly-matched nature of the contest, always felt like it was coming.

City played with an authority and an assuredness throughout that made the result never seem in doubt. Six minuted before the end, Shaw finally got her goal, ensuring that there would be no late twist in the tale.

City played with the confidence of champions and the victory sees them two points clear at the top of the table. Meanwhile, Arsenal may have already dropped out of the group of contenders that are looking to challenge for the WSL crown.