Guro Reiten strikes to secure win for Chelsea over Manchester City in Women's Super League
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Updated 06/02/2022 at 20:08 GMT
Norwegian midfielder Guro Reiten was the difference-maker as her exquisite header saw Chelsea defeat Manchester City at Kingsmeadow. City huffed and puffed in the second half but never really threatened Ann-Katrin Berger's goal. The win puts Chelsea just two points behind Arsenal in the table with a game in hand as the title race hots up.
Guro Reiten of Chelsea celebrates after scoring her side's first goal during the Barclays FA Women's Super League match between Chelsea Women and Manchester City Women at Kingsmeadow on February 06, 2022 in Kingston upon Thames, England
Image credit: Getty Images
Chelsea saw off Manchester City in a tight tussle in the Women's Super League thanks to a decisive goal from Guro Reiten.
The Norwegian midfielder latched onto a good cross from Jess Carter on 14 minutes to plant a deft header past Ellie Roebuck and despite City edging possession in the second period, the hosts held on.
The main team news before the game concerned the return to the Blues lineup of Sam Kerr.
Speaking in the build-up, boss Emma Hayes said of her charge: "She’s a big boost, with her personality and is a livewire in the dressing room.
"I love watching her movement, which is outstanding and brings us a lot even though the team have done well in her absence.”
And with Kerr roving dangerously in forward areas, Chelsea settled the better in the windy conditions at Kingsmeadow and found the advantage they deserved through Reiten.
Man City began to control territory as they chased an equaliser but Kerr looked dangerous on the break and could have made it two moments after the resumption but slid her one-on-one opportunity wide.
Julie Blakstad had an impact after coming on just before the hour for the visitors, but her side just couldn't find their cutting edge in the final third.
Chelsea's win closed the gap to two points to Arsenal, but Hayes' team have a game in hand.
Arsenal had faced Manchester United on Saturday and the Gunners came from behind to rescue a point despite being down to ten.
Elsewhere, Tia Primmer scored her first WSL goal as Reading beat Everton.
Anna Anvegard had scored for Everton as they took the lead, and Reading were thankful to see Izzy Christiansen have a penalty saved.
Natasha Dowie then scored the equaliser before Primmer secured the three points.
Birmingham City are bottom of the league and endured another defeat when they lost 2-1 at home to Leicester City.
Goalkeeper Emily Ramsey saw red in the first half for a foul on Jess Sigworth, who followed up to score from the resutling penalty, and Jemma Purfield's goal from a corner was enough to keep them ahead hwne Louise Quinn scored.
Tottenham beat Brighton 4-0 when Kyah Simon scored twice, and Ashleigh Nevill and Shelina Zadorsky scored with three goals coming within five minutes around the hour mark.
Aston Villa lost West Ham 2-1 in the day's last game.
Abbey-Leigh Stringer put the away side ahead after 12 minutes, and though Alisha Lehmann equalised just before half time, before Katerina Svitoka grabbed the winner seven minutes after the restart.
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