Man City Women 3 – 4 Arsenal Women

Stina Blackstenius’ late goal saw Arsenal edge Manchester City 4-3 in a Women’s Super League thriller.

In a rollercoaster of a game, Arsenal held on for all three points in a result that boosts their hopes of securing a top-three finish and a place in next season’s Women’s Champions League.

For City, defeat sees them drop out of the top three and it ends a turbulent week, during which Chloe Kelly completed a dramatic loan move to Arsenal before the transfer window closed.

The Gunners made the perfect start to the game, racing into a two-goal lead inside eight minutes.

Mariona Caldentey opened the scoring after dispossessing Laia Aleixandri before Lotte Wubben-Moy punished yet more poor defending from City to head home Kyra Cooney-Cross’ free kick.

After a disastrous start, Aoba Fujino was Man City’s bright spark and she helped the home side get back in the game, crossing for Mary Fowler to pull a goal back before the break.

City were back on level terms straight after the interval, former Gunner Vivianne Miedema capitalising on some poor defensive work from Arsenal before firing past Daphne van Domselaar.

Parity lasted just a minute as Caldentey picked out Frida Maanum, and the Norwegian fired a low finish past Khiara Keating to restore the Gunners’ lead.

The drama continued to come as City were fortunate to get back on level terms again. Arsenal defender Steph Catley was adjudged to have pulled down Fujino in the penalty area by referee Cheryl Foster, but replays suggested the infringement actually took place outside the box.

Fowler converted from the spot to level the game again but there was one final twist as Blackstenius converted Beth Mead’s inch-perfect cross to seal a big win for Renee Slegers’ side.