WSL Matchday 17 round-up: Eidevall in awe of Gunners hero McCabe

Cian Cheesbrough

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Katie McCabe's stunner earned Arsenal a crucial 2-1 win over Manchester City

Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall hailed Katie McCabe for overcoming injury to score a stunning winner against Manchester City.

The Gunners ace left the Emirates in a protective boot after knocking out Bayern Munich in the Women's Champions League last Wednesday.

But she recovered to play a starring role in Sunday's 2-1 success over their fellow Women's Super League challengers.

Trailing 1-0 at half-time through Khadija Shaw's headed opener, Frida Maanum fired home the equaliser before McCabe's beautiful left-footed strike sealed a thrilling comeback win.

Eidevall was left in awe of the Republic of Ireland international recovering in time to complete the full 90 minutes at Meadow Park.

The Swedish boss told Arsenal.com: "Starting inside Emirates Stadium after the game against Bayern Munich when she's sitting in a boot and we think she might be out for a long time and it doesn't look that great.

"And we go for scans and we see there is a possibility and we have a mentality monster like Katie who's going, 'I'm gonna play Sunday'.

"You start laughing about it, but then you understand that it might be a possibility and then that turns into reality.

"And then that turns into this performance today. She has been very impressive here this block. One of our best players.

"I think she's been versatile. She's been playing to her strengths. She's been a true Gunner in this block and it was an excellent performance."

The win saw the Gunners leapfrog City into third and take them to within just three points of leaders Manchester United with a game in hand. Champions Chelsea are sandwiched in between in second.

Eidevall added: "I told them that I am lost for words, how they have managed to overcome challenges in this period. It was great turning this game around — it's a great result."

Hayes lauds thrilling title race

Chelsea were in fine form as they won 3-0 at Aston Villa

The WSL title remains in Chelsea's hands ahead of their final six fixtures after the Blues dispatched in-form Aston Villa 3-0 on Sunday evening.

Goals from Jelena Cankovic, Guro Reiten and Sam Kerr secured a comfortable victory at the Bescot Stadium to end Villa's seven-game unbeaten run.

Emma Hayes' side are now on 40 points, one behind the Red Devils with a game in hand, though Marc Skinner's side are showing no signs of faltering after seeing off Brighton 4-0 on Saturday.

And the Blues boss is relishing the competitive four-team battle to take the crown.

The 46-year-old told Sky Sports: "We want to make it interesting, it's good for the game.

"Nobody knows what's going to happen. I just know that if our team show up like they did today then we will certainly put ourselves in a better position."