The incredible way that Arsenal star Chloe Kelly marked her return to Manchester City | OneFootball

Chloe Kelly marked her return to Manchester City’s Joie Stadium in inimitable style on Saturday – scoring a sensational goal for Arsenal.

Arsenal were 2-1 down, with Bunny Shaw having put the hosts one up at the break.

Mariona Caldentey got Arsenal level in the opening seconds of the second half before Kerstin Casparij restored City’s lead.

Kelly came on with 22 minutes to go, replacing Olivia Smith, and was given a warm welcome by the Manchester City fans.

With seven minutes remaining, Kelly lashed the ball into the top corner of the net, albeit possibly with a marginal deflection.

Roaring in celebration, she slapped the Arsenal badge on her chest – and cupped her hand briefly to her right ear at the reaction from the City support.

Renee Slegers had said on Friday that Kelly had “fire inside her”, which she would use in the right way against her former club.

But ultimately the Gunners could not hold on to take a point back to London, with Iman Beney grabbing City’s third two minutes from time to seal a 3-2 win.

It means Arsenal have lost their first match of the season, following two successive draws, with Manchester United and then Aston Villa.

Manchester City are now second in the table, one point behind leaders Chelsea. Arsenal stay fifth.

Chloe Kelly: Her history at Manchester City

Chloe Kelly spent five years at Manchester City, winning the Women’s FA Cup and the Continental Cup with them, but found herself without regular first-team minutes last season.

She took to social media in January to express her disappointment that she had been unable to secure the move she wanted, and eventually managed to finalise her loan to Arsenal.

She spent the rest of the season there, helping them to the UEFA Women’s Champions League, and impressing enough to gain a place in England’s squad for the 2025 Women’s Euros – where, famously, she scored the decisive penalty that retained the trophy for the Lionesses.

The 27-year-old agreed a permanent deal with Arsenal this summer.

“Final small details” – Slegers

“There was some good football being played today,” Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers said afterwards.

“It’s about those final small details and margins in and around the box. Scoring goals is the hardest part of playing football.”

She added: “We do score two really good goals today…we just keep on grinding, keep on working and focusing on the small details that we can work on. We know that we have the quality in the squad.”