Arsenal 2-1 Man City: Khiara Keating’s foul hands secure a precious Women’s Super League win… as Gareth Taylor’s side see their unbeaten start to the season come to an abrupt end
- Chloe Kelly leveled Man City, but a late goalkeeping error resulted in a point
- Khiara Keating had earlier saved an Arsenal penalty, but was desperate late on
- Major debates about Liverpool, Man United and Arsenal continue It’s all Kicking Off podcast
There will have been little sadness in the Arsenal and Manchester City camps when they heard the news that Chelsea manager Emma Hayes is leaving for the United States at the end of the season.
Both clubs have tried to end the Blues’ dominance in the Women’s Super League over the past four years, but without success.
Hayes’ departure will bring uncertainty to a club that has been so stable over the past eleven years.
Arsenal and City should be rubbing their hands at that prospect, but they will also be desperately trying to ensure that Hayes is not allowed to leave with any more trophies to her name.
Arsenal had started the day six points behind Chelsea, but that margin has now been reduced to three thanks to goals from Steph Catley and Stina Blackstenius.
Stina Blackstenius drives away in celebration after firing Arsenal to victory against Man City
City goalkeeper Khiara Keating was left distraught by her costly late mistake that led to the goal
City had gotten back into the match after trailing in the first half, with Chloe Kelly netting the equalizer in the 72nd minute. But a goalkeeping error from Khiara Keating gave Arsenal the win.
City boss Gareth Taylor, who joined City in 2020, is the longest-serving WSL manager after Hayes.
He has won an FA Cup and a League Cup, but the WSL title has eluded him. If he doesn’t win this season, he may not get another chance.
City dominated the opening stages, but a mistake at the back gave Arsenal the lead in the 14th minute.
Keating’s approval went straight to Victoria Pelova, who fed Caitlin Foord.
She stopped Esme Morgan from teeing an unmarked Catley and firing into the top right corner.
Things threatened to get even worse for City when Arsenal were awarded a penalty five minutes later.
Morgan’s undersized back pass was pounced on by Chloe Lacasse, who was brought down in the area by Keating.
But the goalkeeper redeemed himself with a fantastic save to keep out Kim Little’s penalty.
City improved in the second half and should have been level when Hemp picked out Bunny Shaw in the penalty area, but the striker could only direct a header against the post.
The visitor’s perseverance eventually paid off when Kelly scored the equalizer. Hemp’s return found Julie Blakstad, whose shot was blocked.
Frida Maanum’s clearance was shot down by Mary Fowler and the ball fell to Kelly, who finished past Zinsberger.
But City’s hard work was undone late on when Keating misjudged the flight of Katie McCabe’s long pass.
The ball sailed over her head, leaving Blackstenius with an empty net to finish into.
England international Chloe Kelly (right) appeared to have secured a point for Manchester City
Jonas Eidevall’s side previously missed a penalty, but they punished a rare mistake from Keating
The goalkeeper was comforted by teammates as City’s unbeaten WSL start came to an end
