Manchester City 2-0 Chelsea: City inflict rare defeat on Blues

Manchester City handed Chelsea only their second Women's Super League defeat of the season to draw level on points with Manchester United at the top of the table. 

First-half finishes from Filippa Angeldahl and Lauren Hemp earned a well-deserved 2-0 victory for City as the defending champions offered little in front of goal. 

Emma Hayes' Blues, who claimed a big Champions League victory over Lyon in midweek, now sit in third.

But while the Londoners are a point behind the two Manchester sides, they do have a game in hand on both.

With the momentum in the title race shifting once again, former England midfielder Fara Williams was impressed by what she saw from City. 

Speaking on BBC One, she said: "It leaves the WSL title race wide open. Man City have moved themselves from fourth into second.

"It's a massive three points. They're on a roll, this Manchester City team. 

"After the opening two games, they have gone unbeaten. They know nobody is talking about them so they are just doing the work on the ground here."

Everton and England midfielder Izzy Christiansen was equally impressed. 

She told BBC Radio Five Live: "City completely outclassed Chelsea in the first half. 

"They have capitalised after Chelsea spent midweek travelling to Lyon in the Champions League. This is a massive win in the WSL title race."

A poor clearance from Chelsea goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger paved the way for the opener in the 21st minute as Hemp found Angeldahl, who picked out the top corner for her first WSL goal. 

Nine minutes later it was two, Hemp lashing a volley into the corner with the outside of her left foot after Chelsea failed to clear a cross. 

The visitors tried to apply pressure after the break but were unable to create a real chance until stoppage time, when Melanie Leupolz volleyed over. 

And their miserable day was compounded by an injury to Erin Cuthbert, who limped off the pitch in tears.

Chelsea boss Hayes said: "I was proud of the second-half performance. It's a tough loss but well done to Manchester City. 

"They [the players] looked tired. It was a tough game but I'm not going to stand here and say one negative word about my players. 

"I love them, I know how hard they pushed in the second half. I think this was just one game too many for us this week. 

"It's so hard to win a league when you are in all competitions. We've had a game every three days. I think today's performance reflected that."

Villa run riot

As the dust began to settle on City's victory, fifth-placed Aston Villa eased to a 5-0 win over rock-bottom Leicester. 

Alisha Lehmann and Rachel Daly both scored twice after Kenza Dali put Villa ahead in the sixth minute. 

Elsewhere, Reading came from two down to secure a 2-2 draw against fellow strugglers Brighton. 

Veatriki Sarri scored twice for the visitors inside the opening 13 minutes to boost their hopes of only a third league win this season.  

But Emma Harries pulled one back just after half-time and then netted the equaliser on the hour mark.