Khadija Shaw struck late on as Manchester City beat London City Lionesses to move nine points clear at the top of the Women’s Super League.
Shaw pounced on a loose ball in the box in the 86th minute, smashing into an empty net to secure a 12th consecutive win for the league leaders as they increased their advantage over reigning champions Chelsea in the title race.
After hitting the woodwork twice in the first half, Isobel Goodwin’s fierce near-post strike midway through the second half seemed to have earned a deserved point for London City in their first home league outing under new head coach Eder Maestre.
However, Manchester City showed the resolve of would-be champions with Shaw’s late goal.
Manchester City boss Andree Jeglertz urged his players to “be humble” even though Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor said the WSL title has “probably gone” for her side.
Chelsea are the visitors to Joie Stadium next Sunday (14:30 GMT kick-off) and victory for Jeglertz’s side would put them 12 points clear of the current champions.
“There are a lot of games left. All teams will find different ways to challenge us. It’s a lot of games,” Jeglertz said.
“This situation is fantastic for the team and for me also, because we deserve it.
“We have done a great season so far we just need to keep on going and be humble in this situation, and keep doing what we have done so far.”
Winger Kerolin had broken the deadlock in the 11th minute for the visitors, racing on to a neat through ball from Vivianne Miedema before slotting a low finish beyond Elena Lete.
Goodwin then twice struck the frame of the goal – first racing clear of the visitors’ high line only to be denied by a fingertip save from City keeper Ayaka Yamashita, turning the ball on to the post.
Minutes later, Goodwin climbed above Rebecca Knaak at the back post to thunder a header off the crossbar.
Manchester City controlled proceedings for the most part, spurning several chances to claim a second goal before half-time. The best of those came from a Shaw dart to the byeline but her cutback was cleared before Miedema could turn home.
London City began the second half in identical fashion to the first, pushing high and targeting the space in behind opposing right-back Kerstin Casparij.
Indeed they fashioned two golden chances before pulling level through Goodwin, but captain Kosovare Asllani blazed over and Wassa Sangare had a close range header blocked by a brilliant defensive recovery from eventual matchwinner Shaw.
The defeat leaves London City in eighth place, eight points off the Champions League places.