Manchester City’s hopes of winning a first Barclays Women’s Super League title since 2016 have been boosted after they defeated Liverpool 1-0 at The Joie Stadium this afternoon.
Defender Rebecca Knaak netted the only goal of the game in second half injury time as The Cityzens took another step towards the title.
Liverpool had the stronger start with Aurélie Csillag heading the ball narrowly over early on. Grace Fisk then got her right boot on the ball and beat home keeper Ayaka Yamashita, but it bounced off the post and Manchester City cleared the danger. Jenna Clark met an inswinging corner, but couldn’t keep the ball down and it flew over the net.
Khadija Shaw had Manchester City’s best chance. Lauren Hemp sent a ball in to Shaw who fired a low shot in on goal, but it was too close to Jennifer Falk who made the save.
Kerstin Casparij then raced down the right and whipped a cross to Shaw, who did enough to beat Clark, but her header was off target.
Liverpool had another chance to dampen Manchester City’s title dreams when Mia Enderby slid the ball into the path of Csillag. She took the shot first time, but the ball ballooned over the bar.
The Reds once again started the stronger side in the second half. Csillag got on the end of a long ball, but it was too wide to go for goal and the Manchester City defence were on hand to clear.
Ceri Holland sent a shot flying just over the bar before Falk made the perfect save to deny Manchester City the opener. Shaw played the ball through to Kerolin, who just had Falk to beat, but the keeper did brilliantly to get to the shot and tip it over the bar.
Beata Olsson saw a header float just wide before Manchester City finally got their long-awaited goal in second half injury time when Knaak got her head to the ball and sent it into the back of the net.
This afternoon’s result sees Manchester City move to within a win of the Barclays Women’s Super League title while Liverpool are in 1oth place.
