Match in Focus: Manchester City 2-1 Arsenal

Arsenal's back three comes back to bite as the Gunners as Manchester City jump their rivals into the Barclays WSL top three...

Goals from Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly helped Manchester City into the top three of the Barclays Women’s Super League as a blistering first half performance against Arsenal saw Gareth Taylor’s side move into the top three for the first time this season

Five quick talking points from the City Football Academy…

Manchester City recorded a vital win over Arsenal. Image: Sportimage

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Arsenal’s back three didn't work

While Arsenal generally settled into their new-look system on Wednesday night and kept a clean sheet, things looked less than settled at the City Football Academy. None of Lotte Wubben-Moy, Leah Williamson or Rafaelle looked comfortable, while Noelle Maritz and Steph Catley struggled in isolation against Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly.

Wubben-Moy in particular struggled and was nudged off the ball for the second goal, moments after she gave the ball away to Khadija Shaw but was bailed out by Manuela Zinsberger. Wubben-Moy was subbed at half-time as Arsenal went back to a back four and looked much more settled, limiting City's chances in the second half and getting themselves back in it to set up a nervy finale.

Yui Hasegawa is brilliant

This may not be a particularly hot take, but the Japan international continues to get better and better and she looked so composed once again anchoring the Man City midfield up against top class opposition. The amount of times she either received the ball with her back to goal or on the turn under pressure but either got City up the field or held the ball and calmed things down with passes back to her defences was well into double figures in the first half alone, and she continues to look like one of the signings of the season.

Where do the goals come from?

On the one hand, you have to feel for Jonas Eidevall who lost his two main sources of goals in quick succession and won't have either back this season. But the failure to replace that loss of firepower in January is already coming back to bite, with a sole set-piece to show for their efforts across the last two games, plus 90 minutes where they did everything but score in midweek.

With Arsenal now out of the top three for the first time in many years and goals hard to come by as the whole team adapts to a new-look attack, they need to find something that clicks soon to stay in the hunt. Right now, they're a team with new signings who could do with a pre-season, but unfortunately for Arsenal it's February.

There's life in Steph Houghton yet

The Manchester City captain made a rare league start in the absence of Alanna Kenned, but the defender put in a more than solid performance to help her side to the win. Her first touch was a nervy long ball straight out for a throw-in, but she ended the game putting her body on the line, with her block/tackle on Stina Blackstenius inside the box a highlight. She looked at home alongside Alex Greenwood, who was also excellent, and proved she still has plenty to offer her club.

A good day for Chelsea and Manchester United

Chelsea now sit five points clear of Arsenal, while Manchester United maintain their three-point gap on the Gunners ahead of Sunday's round of matches. Both sides would have probably not minded a draw at the CFA to keep Gareth Taylor's side at bay who as ever appear to be peaking into the second half of the season, but both sides will generally be happy as Chelsea look for a fourth consecutive title and United look for a first break into European football.