Arsenal 2-1 Man City: Late Blackstenius goal seals win

Stina Blackstenius’ 87th-minute strike earned Arsenal all three points as they beat Manchester City 2-1 at Mangata Pay UK Stadium to end the visitors’ unbeaten start to the Women’s Super League season.

City’s Chloe Kelly had cancelled out Steph Catley’s opener – her first goal of the season – before Blackstenius sealed the win late on.

The game was halted for a medical emergency before stoppage time could begin, but Arsenal managed to hold off City to earn their third win of the season.

It was an evenly-matched opening half as the dominance of City equalled Arsenal’s fluid attack.

Yet, for the first time all season, City looked shaken as their defensive gaps and lapses in communication were exposed by the Gunners’ frontline.

City’s new number one Khiara Keating made her first real mistake all season, playing a messy short pass, which Victoria Pelova capitalised on, allowing Catley to loft the ball past the City shot-stopper.

Esme Morgan’s poor pass left Keating in trouble minutes later – the attempted clearance took all of Cloe Lacasse and none of the ball, earning the hosts a penalty, but the 19-year-old’s mentality shone as she denied Arsenal skipper Kim Little from the spot.

At the other end, Manuela Zinsberger clasped former Gunner Jill Roord’s strike before Kelly’s rebound cross required a goal-line intervention from Amanda Ilestedt, whose expert clearance halted City’s plans for an equaliser.

Not without chances at either end, Khadija Shaw was proving the biggest threat of all, pouncing on any mistake that the hosts would make.

Kelly’s expert strike early in the second half was another City chance squandered as her shot inched wide of a post.

Shaw was permitted to continue after Caitlin Foord clattered into the Jamaican striker, earning the Australian a booking before Shaw rattled the crossbar, proving the visitors’ fight had yet to dwindle.

Finally capitalising on a chance after Arsenal substitute Frida Maanum made a hash of the clearance, Shaw cut back for Kelly to net the equaliser.

With Shaw chasing down Zinsberger, the goalkeeper played a poor pass directly to Kelly, whose strike was too heavy, floating over the crossbar.

Keating came far off her line to try and reach McCabe’s long ball that was destined for Blackstenius. Failing to clear and helping the ball further goal-ward, the Swede had an open net to aim at and grasped the chance to hand Arsenal the lead.

Taking a pause due to a medical emergency in the crowd, Arsenal maintained a hold of their lead during 15 minutes of stoppage time, claiming the win.