Arsenal 2-1 Man City: Gunners end Man City's unbeaten start to WSL season
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WSL Arsenal 2-1 Manchester City: Stina Blackstenius scores late winner following Man City
Arsenal ended Manchester City's unbeaten start to the Women's Super League season with a third successive victory.
Substitute Stina Blackstenius scored a late winner at Meadow Park, capitalising on a mistake from 19-year-old goalkeeper Khiara Keating, after Chloe Kelly's equaliser had cancelled out Steph Catley's opener.
Jonas Eidevall's Arsenal side are starting to find their form and have given their title hopes a boost after a slow start to the season which saw them lose to Liverpool, before drawing with Manchester United.
Manchester City had arrived in London in impeccable form but after a bright start, found themselves trailing thanks to a superb opener from Catley, who struck her effort powerfully into the far corner after nice build-up play from Arsenal.
That swung the momentum in Arsenal's favour and they were awarded a penalty minutes later when Cloe Lacasse was brought down by young goalkeeper Keating.
But Kim Little's spot-kick was pushed on to the post by Keating to keep City in contention, and they came close to an equaliser before half-time when Lauren Hemp's header hit the crossbar and was cleared off the line by defender Amanda Ilestedt.
City came out with intent again after the break and last season's top-scorer Khadija Shaw remained a threat.
She was unmarked when she was set up by a curling cross from Hemp but headed off the post from close range. The equaliser eventually arrived when Shaw teed up Kelly in the box and she struck a low effort past goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger.
The game remained in the balance in the final minutes but Blackstenius made the most of a long ball forward, which was misjudged by Keating, and slotted in a crucial winner.
There was a lengthy delay afterwards as medical staff attended to an emergency in the stands before Arsenal's win was confirmed, putting their campaign right back on track.
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Pressure had been mounting on manager Eidevall after Arsenal were knocked out of the Women's Champions League qualifying rounds, before their defeat by Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on the opening day of the WSL season.
But this result, their third straight win in the league, could prove to be a catalyst as they look to make up the early ground they lost in the title race.
"I was a little surprised before the game because it was like we were being portrayed as the underdogs," said Arsenal manager Eidevall.
"In my experience here, we won three times out of three while I've been manager against Manchester City. I think that's a very strong record against Manchester City."
City started like a side full of confidence but as chances came and went in the opening 10 minutes, Arsenal began to settle and found the big breakthrough with Catley's goal.
From that moment on, Arsenal had the upper hand in the first half, before City bounced back in the second half. It could have gone either way but Arsenal capitalised on the big moments when they arrived.
These games between the WSL's traditional top four often have a heavy impact on league standings at the end of the season and Arsenal played with a tenacity in the second half which showed they knew they could not afford to lose.
"The first 15 minutes stressed me out. I don't think anyone planned to lose the ball in the way we did," added Eidevall.
"So no, it didn't go to plan. I'm happy the players could cope. We spoke a lot about having a holistic performance.
"We said [tactics] was one part of football but it is also running, duelling, fighting for inches and football is about having mental strength - when you fail once to try again next time.
"In order to beat a team like Manchester City you needed to do both - and we did. We weren't perfect in any of them but I think we were good enough in both of them."
City, without key injured centre-back Alex Greenwood, showed their attacking threat on numerous occasions but were sloppy in possession in midfield.
Individual mistakes proved costly, particularly the late error from promising young keeper Keating, who was comforted by team-mates as she left the pitch in tears.
"Keating will be OK. It's part and parcel of football. I've said to you guys [there might] be a moment when she'll make a mistake, and this won't be the last one," said City boss Gareth Taylor.
"It's the same for all players but she's done so many good things and she will continue to be great. I think it's unfortunate, but it's all good learning for her. That makes you as a player. She'll come through it and we'll support her in the right way."