Manchester City Close On FA WSL 1 Title

 

Manchester City striker Jane Ross deflected in captain Steph Houghton's free-kick to put the FA Women's Super League 1 leaders a step closer to winning their first league title, with a narrow 1-0 win at Arsenal Ladies.

Midfielder Jordan Nobbs was unlucky not to give the hosts the lead when her volley in the box was tipped over by goalkeeper Karen Bardsley. nDefeat for Arsenal now means they face a tougher task in beating Chelsea to the second Champions League place with three games left to play this season, while City are one win away from the title.

City were quick off the mark inside five minutes when Nikita Parris tested goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal.  Arsenal were very close to giving themselves the lead on 35 minutes when Nobbs responded quickly to a deflective cross with a brilliant volley that forced Bardsley into action.

City took the lead in the 51st minute when Houghton's free-kick deflected off Ross and beat Van Veenendaal. City nearly doubled their advantage when a well-crafted counter-attack saw Isobel Christiansen's early cross met by Ross, but she was denied by a last-ditch challenge from Casey Stoney.
Manchester City manager Nick Cushing knows his team are still one win away but admitted there was huge satisfaction in inching a step closer to FA Women's Super League 1 glory with victory at Arsenal.

He said “The trophy's not in the dressing room just yet so let's not get ahead of ourselves. But it was a great performance from us, I think we've put the work in now and we will continue to put the work because the season's not over yet but we will continue to work.”