WSL 1: Manchester City Women 2-0 Liverpool Ladies

Izzy Christiansen, who received her first senior England call-up on Monday, netted for the second game running

Manchester City have closed the gap to Women's Super League One leaders Chelsea to two points with a 2-0 win in their game in hand against Liverpool.

Isobel Christiansen opened the scoring shortly before half-time, latching on to Lucy Bronze's cross.

Natasha Harding doubled City's lead with a near-post dink over Libby Stout, following a cross from Georgia Stanway.

The result also boosts second-placed City's hopes of a top-two finish and Champions League qualification.

With two rounds of matches remaining, Nick Cushing's side are now three points above third-placed Arsenal.

Wales international Harding had the chance to further increase City's lead but saw her one-on-one effort with Stout well saved by the Reds keeper.

Liverpool failed to really test England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley.

Manchester City Women manager Nick Cushing told BBC Sport:

"Another win and another game where we've dominated the ball and I thought tonight, all over the park we played some really good football.

"I thought they were really patient, got the goal and then went from strength to strength.

"We're playing up against the champions of two previous seasons so to dominate them the way we did and to come away with the win is a really pleasing thing for me."

Liverpool Ladies manager Matt Beard:

"I've just been in to see the referee, it was a foul leading up to their first goal but what can I do, Man City deserved to win the game over the course of the 90 minutes.

"I'm just frustrated that when we have had to spend most of the night defending, a decision like that has cost us the first goal.

"I felt we had a go in the second half a little bit more but personally I think we're looking at the champions and Man City deserve a lot of credit for what they've done for the women's set up."

Manchester City Women: Bardsley, Bronze, Houghton, Beattie, Stokes, Walsh, Scott, Christiansen, Johnston (Stanway 69), Harding, Parris.

Subs not used: Brooks, Brougham, Lipman, Radtke, Flint, McManus.

Liverpool Ladies: Stout, Harris, Bonner, Longhurst (Zelem 64), Omarsdottir, Dowie, Smorsgard (Hodson 57), White, Ryland, Staniforth (Pacheco 80), Murray.

Subs not used: Darbyshire.

Referee: Amy Fearn.

Attendance: 1,009

Manchester City Women remain unbeaten since this summer's Women's World Cup