Iman Beney's first goal for Manchester City secured a dramatic late victory for Andree Jeglertz's side, moments after it had appeared they'd thrown away all three points. Arsenal had twice pegged the hosts back in a lively second-half but as the clock ticked towards the 90-minute mark, up stepped the summer signing from BSC YB Frauen to smash home and make it 3-2, keeping the pressure up on Chelsea at the top of the WSL table.
Despite Arsenal being on the front foot for most of the first half, it was City who created the most dangerous chances and they would take the lead after 36 minutes. Daphne van Domselaar had reacted well to stop a delicious Yui Hasegawa corner arrowing straight into the net shortly before the goal but she stood no chance in keeping out Shaw's pinpoint header, with the ball bouncing past her and into the net following Kerstin Casparij's whipped-in cross from the right.
And it should've been two – Shaw being guilty of trying to score the perfect goal as she sat down both Van Domselaar and Lotte Wubben-Moy but with the goal gaping she saw her shot blocked, with Casparij flagged for offside as she tapped in the rebound. The hosts would pay for that failure to extend their lead within a minute of the restart as Mariona Caldentey was given far too much room to stride forward and arrow Emily Fox's ball inside high into the net and past a helpless Ayaka Yamashita.
Shaw's aerial threat continued to cause problems for the Gunners and it was her header back across goal that forced City's second goal, Casparij scrambling the ball home after the visitors failed to clear. The Jamaican forward should've had her second – and City's third – soon after, although she could only head straight at Van Domselaar from close range.
It looked as though Chloe Kelly would have the last laugh against her former team-mates as she thundered an effort into the top corner to make it 2-2, but then came Beney's big moment, as she capitalised on more good work from Shaw to hammer home the loose ball and secure all three points for City.
GOAL rates the home side's players from the Joie Stadium…
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Ayaka Yamashita (7/10):
Nothing she could do to keep out the Caldantay or Kelly strikes. Dealt with everything else that Arsenal threw at her, including smart saves from Mead and Blackstenius.
Kerstin Casparij (8/10):
Consistently read the danger at the back and sent over the cross that set-up Shaw's opener. Added to her assist with a goal of her own and her flying runs forward were decisive in the win.
Jade Rose (5/10):
In for Gracie Prior for only her second WSL start. Didn't get tight enough to Russo at times and she got away with one loose back pass that almost gifted a goal to Blackstenius.
Alex Greenwood (7/10):
Solid at the back to help steer City to a crucial three points. Her dangerous corners caused all sorts of problems at the other end, too, including for City's second goal.
Leila Ouahabi (6/10):
Tough assignment up against Olivia Smith and allowed her to run in behind too easily. Did put in some crucial blocks, though, and was a threat going the other way.
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Laura Blindkilde Brown (6/10):
Perhaps should've sensed the danger better as Caldantay galloped into the box to score Arsenal's first but was consistently accurate with her passing.
Yui Hasegawa (6/10):
Delightful lobbed through ball early on to create a massive chance for Fujino and her set-piece deliveries were a threat all game. That said, some of her passing was on the loose side and that invited Arsenal pressure.
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Aoba Fujino (6/10):
Her smart ball through for Casperaij helped create Shaw's opener but she was wasteful with her finishing on more than one occasion.
Vivianne Miedema (5/10):
Looked a threat driving forward but her finishing was uncharacteristically poor. Linked up well with Shaw on a couple of occasions but a disappointing display by her lofty standards.
Grace Clinton (6/10):
Did her best work in defensive areas as she tenaciously worked back to help stunt Arsenal's progress. Hooked on the hour mark.
Khadija Shaw (7/10):
An eventful afternoon for Shaw as she scored one and her presence in the box helped create two more. Despite her impact, she'll be angry with herself at not scoring that huge chance in the first half when she should've just stuck it away.
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Iman Beney (8/10):
Almost made an immediate impact as she hit the side netting within a minute of coming on before then arrowing home late in the day to put her name up in lights. What a moment.
Laura Coombs (N/A):
On for Miedema for the final 15 minutes against her former club.
Sydney Lohmann (N/A):
On in stoppage time as City looked to waste time.
Andree Jeglertz (8/10):
Made the bold move to take Clinton off midway through the second half but it paid off, with Beney coming off the bench to deliver the win. A massive three points in City's pursuit of Chelsea.
