Reiten scores the goal that downs Man City 1-0 and opens up the WSL title race
By Paul Lagan at Kingsmeadow Stadium
Chelsea 1 v Man City 0
Guro Reiten scored the precious goal that saw off dominant Manchester City and put the Blues right back on the title-winning trail.
The west Londoners are now two points behind leaders Arsenal who they take on at Kingsmeadow on Friday.
This was a close encounter that City deserved to have shared the points.
It is easy to focus on the wind which Chelsea took advantage on in the opening 45minutes – Reiten’s looping header from a fine Jess Carter cross, on 1 minutes the decisive play of the half and indeed the game.
Chelsea took control of the ball in the opening passages of play with Pernille Harder in particular showing her strength and speed to disrupt the City rearguard.
Some clever and intricate build-up play almost reaped dividends on 13 minutes but Sam Kerr’s header was soft and went straight to Ellie Roebuck.
But the opener came a minute later from the head of winger Guro Reiten, The header was as soft as Kerr’s but looped over the goalkeeper and dropped into the back of the net after an excellent cross by Jess Carter.
Roebuck thwarted Harder who put on one of her trademark runs. Her angled left-footer, on 23 minutes was well blocked by the stopper.
Ann-Katrin produced a brilliant save five minutes from the break, parrying away a fine Jess Park left-footer that looked to be arrowing into the top right hand corner of Berger’s goal.
There were no changes by either side at half time, but within seconds of the restart Kerr almost doubled the lead with a long, low angled drive. It beat the out-running Roebuck, but the ball drifted inches wide of her goal.
City, to their credit dominated the second half but Chelsea’s defensive capability remained robust
Substitute Lauren James forced Roebuck into a fine saving save with five minutes left on the game – their second effort on goal in the half.
Chelsea can return to the top of the WSL if they defeat current leaders Arsenal, on Friday at Kingsmeadow.
Teams: Chelsea, Berger, Nouwen, Bright, Ingle, Carter, Reiten, Fleming, Kerr, Cuthbert, Harder, Andersson
Subs: Musovic, Kirby, James, Charles, Spence, Abdullina, Claypole, Thompson
Man City, Roebuck, Stokes, Greenwood, Stanway, Hemp, Park, Weir, Bronze, Shaw, Walsh, Mace
Subs, Keating, Coombs, Beckie, Angeldahl, Raso, Losada, White, Kennedy, Blakstad
Referee, Amy Fearn
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