Is the title race back on? Arsenal beat WSL leaders Man City | OneFootball

Arsenal beat league leaders Manchester City 1-0 in the Women’s Super League at the Emirates Stadium thanks to a first-half goal from Olivia Smith.

Smith’s finish secured three points in front of a crowd of 39,155 and reduced the gap at the top, with Arsenal still holding a game in hand.

City remain eight points clear of local rivals Manchester United and 10 ahead of the Gunners. However, an Arsenal win in their game in hand would cut the deficit to seven points with seven matches remaining.

Before kick-off, Arsenal paraded their Women’s Champions Cup trophy following last weekend’s victory and were introduced to the Emirates faithful as European and world champions, which seemed to set the tempo for their fruitful afternoon.

The decisive moment came in the first half. Mariona Caldentey played a pass through the City defence to find Smith, who beat Rebecca Knaak on pace to the ball, rounded goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita and slotted home in style.

City struggled to create clear-cut chances against a disciplined Arsenal defence. The attacking trio of Vivianne Miedema, Bunny Shaw and Kerolin, who scored five against Chelsea last weekend, were kept quiet for long periods.

Andree Jeglertz’s side had started the weekend with an 11-point lead over second-placed United, but that margin was reduced to eight after Marc Skinner’s side beat Leicester on Saturday. Despite the setback, City still control the title race.

The result strengthens Arsenal’s position in the top-three race and applies pressure to City heading into the final stretch of the season.