Man City beat Arsenal with Beney's 88th-minute winner
Former City player Kelly's equaliser had looked to have earned draw for visitors
Shaw and Casparij scored for hosts either side of Caldentey leveller
City go second and cut Chelsea's lead to one point
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FT: Man City 3-2 Arsenal
That's all from us today and quite frankly I need a breather after that five-goal thriller.
But we'll be back tomorrow to do it all over again for the four remaining WSL fixtures this weekend, so make sure to join us then.
If you missed any of today's action, then you can read Emma Sanders' report from Joie Stadium to catch up with all the drama.
Enjoy the rest of your Saturday and see you soon!
All times BST
Only the one WSL game today, but here's what's coming up on Sunday...
FT: Man City 3-2 Arsenal
What a game that was, by the way. Plenty of goals, plenty of drama.
36th minute - Khadija Shaw heads home opener...
Image source, Getty Images46th minute - Mariona Caldentey levels for the Gunners...
Image source, Getty Images61st minute - City restore their lead through Kerstin Casparij...
Image source, Getty Images83rd minute - Chloe Kelly thinks she's clinched a point for her former club and taps the Arsenal badge after scoring a stunning strike...
Image source, Getty Images88th minute - Iman Beney nets a late winner for City, scoring her first goal for the club.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Man City 3-2 Arsenal
Rachel Corsie
Former Scotland captain on Sky Sports
To pick up two points from the last three games is nowhere near the return Arsenal need.
The problem for Arsenal is they're five points behind Chelsea now and you wouldn't back them to win the rest of their games, so they're going to have to overturn more than five points because Arsenal aren't going to have a flawless record from here on in.
They've not given themselves the best chance up to this point but they can only move forward.
I think they need to look at some of the errors that are being made in these games. We talk about Arsenal and it's very tactical and the system and all these things, but the goals they've lost today, these are simple things. These are the basics of defending.
Comment on the form at the top of this page to have your say
Some writing Arsenal off already - many did that last season, including myself - "too many old players, too many not good enough" I said - and we all know how that ended up.
Gordon T, Aberdeen
FT: Man City 3-2 Arsenal
More from Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers, speaking to Sky Sports, on attacking issues: "We did score two great goals today and we do create opportunities, so we need to keep on grinding, keep on focusing on the small details that we can work on, and we know we have the quality in the squad.
"We score two goals at City away, and that's good in an attacking perspective, but we never want to concede three goals. We're not happy with that and the first goal is definitely a typical City goal, so we're disappointed. And the corner is one to discuss, it looks like there's a potential foul on the goal, again, that's not something we can control, and they're strong at set-pieces. And the third one is positional detail and discipline in the counter-pressure."
On how her team can deal with this drop in form: "Focusing on the things we're doing well because the risk is if you don't get the result, you start thinking about everything and you stop doing the things you're doing really well at the moment."
Comment on the form at the top of this page to have your say
This was meant to be the title challenge season for Arsenal, instead we'll be 5 points behind Chelsea and a few teams in-between. We are definitely missing Williamson more than we thought.
Martin
Arsenal became European Champions by getting the basics right. Defending properly, keeping the ball and going forward with purpose. We've done none of those things today.
Nathan, Oxford
FT: Man City 3-2 Arsenal
Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers, speaking to Sky Sports: "I think there was some good football being played today. I think you can see it's two top teams going against each other, momentum shifts. At spells we did really well and we created the football on the pitch we wanted to. It's about the final, small details, margins in and around the box.
"Scoring goals is the hardest part of football and that's where every little detail needs to be right. So that's something we look at because when we have the momentum, we have to capitalise and be ruthless and be really well positioned behind the ball to suffocate and stop counter-attacks because that's where the third goal comes from.
"Unfortunately, it's them winning the game and we're disappointed."
Image source, Getty ImagesComment on the form at the top of this page to have your say
Arsenal still living off European Champions title… the hunger is just not there .
Andy A, London
Shocking defending by Arsenal. We are a long way off Chelsea and both Manchester clubs at the minute. Why Pelova started ahead of Maanum is a mystery to me.
David, Gloucestershire
FT: Man City 3-2 Arsenal
Toni Duggan
Former Man City forward on Sky Sports
If that fixture [against Chelsea] came in two or three weeks time, then we would've seen a different result in that because City look like they're growing, they're building. It was difficult that it came in the first game of the season.
They don't have Champions League, so they're going to be a lot fresher. It's going to be interesting to see how they build on this.
Comment on the form at the top of this page to have your say
Chloe Kelly was frozen out at City and miserable - it's not like she forced a move. I thought the fans would be better than that.
Nick
In response to Lisa (14.20) regarding Chloe Kelly’s actions after scoring I totally agree with you, but feel the best response to such an action came from the City players themselves in going forward and scoring the third goal.
Tony
FT: Man City 3-2 Arsenal
Rachel Corsie
Former Scotland captain on Sky Sports
They're definitely in the mix. It's unfortunate with the way the fixtures fell, they faced Chelsea so early.
They're a lot more dynamic. They play with a lot more intensity and there are a lot of excellent footballers in that team, and I think it allows them to be a lot more effective with getting further forward and getting chances in the areas for the players that carry that threat.
FT: Man City 3-2 Arsenal
Well, here's how things stand after all that drama.
Manchester City keep up the pace with league leaders Chelsea, closing the gap to one point.
Arsenal sit four points further back in fifth. Not what you would expect of the European champions.
Image source, Getty ImagesMan City 3-2 Arsenal
Manchester City goalscorer Iman Beney, speaking to Sky Sports: "I think it was a really good game and important game for us to win, and we win. We made a big performance, all the players who come in, all the players who come in. I think we are a good team and we can see this today."
On scoring her first Man City goal: "To score against Arsenal in the last minute, the winning goal is something special. It's the job of all the team, so I'm grateful."
Comment on the form at the top of this page to have your say
Disappointing from Chloe Kelly. The Man City fans loved her. Kissing the Arsenal badge at the Joie is disrespectful to the fans. Whatever issue she has with the club it was not from us.
Lisa, Manchester
Man City 3-2 Arsenal
Manchester City's Player of the Match Kerstin Casparij, speaking to Sky Sports: "I think it was quite nerve-racking for us. We struggled a little bit in the first half and scored a great goal. It went up and down. I think it was a very fun game to watch.
"I think we're getting a lot of freedom in our system and it's amazing to have such amazing players for us like Iman [Beney], so it gives me a lot of opportunities to go forward and to help in attack. It's going great."
On what the manager has said to them this season: "Enjoy. That's the big thing. He wants to give us freedom for a reason. I think all the attacking players that we have play on instinct and aren't necessarily the best when they have to stay in certain positions and not move freely, so I think with the players that we have, having the freedom and the trust is what's clicking at the minute. I'm happy with it.
"Of course, we are pushing to win the league, but it's still early days. Let's not get ahead of ourselves."
Comment on the form at the top of this page to have your say
Angus (13:57) is right - WSL season over Gunners.
Scott
FT: Man City 3-2 Arsenal
How damaging of a result is that for Arsenal?
That's now three WSL games without a win and they find themselves five points behind league leaders Chelsea.
To rub more salt in their wounds, their north London rivals Tottenham are above them in the table having played a game less.
FT: Man City 3-2 Arsenal
Niamh Fahey
Former Arsenal defender on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra at Joie Stadium
Phenomenal performance. For a centre forward to be dominating in the attacking box, fair enough, but to have that presence in the defensive position, she cleared numerous balls from corners.
Then you see at the opposite end, she gets that knock back across the box for the second goal. Set up the second, set up the third, and a phenomenal performance from her.
Comment on the form at the top of this page to have your say
Quite frankly, certain Arsenal players who started this match were below par. The three goals conceded were embarrassing and we're clearly lacking in physical strength or bravery if you want to call it that. The new girl from Liverpool has ability but there's a lack of quality from wide.
Reza
Man City edge Arsenal in back and forth five goal thriller
Iman Beney's late goal gave Manchester City a crucial victory over title rivals Arsenal and moved them to within a point of leaders Chelsea in the Women's Super League.
Arsenal substitute Chloe Kelly, making her return to former club City, thought she had dealt a blow when she equalised with fewer than 10 minutes to spare.
Renee Slegers' side came from behind twice but City, deserving of their victory, hammered the final nail in the coffin when Beney coolly slotted the ball past goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar late on.
Khadija Shaw had earlier headed City in front before Mariona Caldentey's superb equaliser early in the second half.
Defeat for European champions Arsenal leaves them five points behind Chelsea and without a win in their past three matches - a damaging start to their hopeful title challenge.
It is a significant result for City, who suffered defeat by Chelsea on the opening day and could not afford to drop points to another rival.
'It had to be her!' - Kelly scores 'fantastic' effort against former side Man City
Having started the season under new boss Andree Jeglertz with a narrow 2-1 defeat by Chelsea, City knew they had to make up ground to mount a title challenge.
Defeating another key rival in Arsenal was the perfect way to do so and they have closed in on Chelsea as a result, sitting just one point behind having each played five games.
What will be even more pleasing is the manner in which City took their chances at key moments, capitalising on a period of first-half pressure before responding to Arsenal's early second-half equaliser, and again with minutes to spare.
They were the side who looked in control for larger periods and created more dangerous opportunities, often pushing Arsenal's backline into mistakes.
Shaw was at her best, causing problems with her devious runs in behind and presence in the box, while Aoba Fujino was lively down City's right-hand side.
It was also another impressive showing from full-back Kerstin Casparij - she is quickly becoming one of the most influential players in the WSL.
There will be concern as to how City allowed Arsenal back into the game twice, but given the high stakes in matches between the WSL's top four, it won't bother them much.
Man City lost this home fixture in the past two seasons
There were plenty of eyes on England forward Kelly, who left Manchester City in the summer in a permanent deal following a topsy-turvy transfer saga that ended with Kelly accusing some at her former club of attempting to "assassinate her character".
She was cautiously left out of the starting XI by Slegers, who has preferred record-signing Olivia Smith on the right-hand side so far this season, but was needed in the second half.
A ripple of sarcastic cheers and boos could be heard in the City supporters' section when Kelly made her introduction but she had the perfect response.
A lovely, curling effort pulled Arsenal back from 2-1 down and Kelly wheeled away in celebration, thinking she had salvaged a crucial point for the Gunners.
However, it was not Kelly who would have the last laugh as City refused to leave without three points and came straight back at Arsenal to deal the final blow.
Instead, Kelly and her Arsenal team-mates left the pitch to chants of "Chloe, what's the score?".
Manchester City travel to Liverpool on Sunday, 12 October (16:45 BST) in their next WSL match.
Meanwhile, Arsenal's defence of their European title begins on Tuesday, 7 October as they host record holders OL Lyonnes at Meadow Park (20:00 BST). They are back in WSL action on Sunday, 12 October against Brighton at the Emirates (14:30 BST).
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Chelsea | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 13 |
|
2 Manchester City | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 12 |
|
3 Manchester United | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 10 | 11 |
|
4 Tottenham Hotspur | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 9 |
|
5 Arsenal | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 8 |
|
6 Brighton & Hove Albion | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 7 |
|
7 Everton | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 3 |
|
8 Leicester City | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 | -5 | 3 |
|
9 London City Lionesses | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 14 | -9 | 3 |
|
10 Aston Villa | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 2 |
|
11 Liverpool | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 0 |
|
12 West Ham United | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 14 | -12 | 0 |
|
Manager: Andrée Jeglertz
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Renee Slegers
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Andrée Jeglertz
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Renee Slegers
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
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