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Reading drew with Manchester City in their most recent meeting in October.
Chloe Kelly scored a late goal for Manchester City to keep their women’s Super League title challenge ongoing after an exciting encounter with Reading at Academy Stadium.
Lauren Hemp’s magnificent solo career prepared Kelly to take advantage from close range in the 87th minute.
An eleventh consecutive WSL victory puts City one point ahead of title rivals Chelsea, who host Aston Villa on Sunday.
The reading falls to seventh place, one point behind Brighton.
City looked destined for a frustrating evening as opportunity after opportunity fizzled out in the first half, with Reading goalkeeper Grace Moloney putting on an impressive performance and making numerous saves.
Hemp hit the post as Georgia Stanway laid her down, before the latter missed a golden opportunity at close range.
There were also chances for Lucy Bronze and Caroline Weir, while American international Rose Lavelle had a shot dumped over the bar by Moloney early on.
Reading’s Amalie Eikeland forced a smart save from rival goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck as the Royals held a threat on the counter and looked ready to earn a point for their tireless defensive efforts before Kelly finally broke the deadlock.
City coach Gareth Taylor had asked for an answer after his team’s defeat in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona and, despite having to wait, this result ensured that City maintain a solid foothold in a two-horse race for the title.
However, his time at the top could be short, as defending champion Chelsea will return to the top if they beat Villa, who is fighting for relegation.
The only downside to City’s victory was the replacement of defender Demi Stokes, who recently returned shortly after the second half; fell with an apparent injury before immediately heading down the tunnel with a staff member.
- Lineups Match Statistics Live Text
LineupsMan City Women
Formation 4-3-3
26Roebuck20Bronze13Dahlkemper27Greenwood3Stokes21Lavelle24Walsh19Weir9Kelly15Hemp10Stanway
- 26Roebuck20 BronzeReserved at 45 minutes13Dahlkemper27Greenwood3StokesReplaced by Morgan in 59’minutes21LavelleReplaced byMewisat 62’minutes24Walsh19Weir9Kelly15Hemp10StanwayReplaced by White in 68’minutes
Substitutes
- 2Mannion7Coombs11Beckie14Morgan16Park18White22Mewis34Benameur39Davies
Women reading
Formation 5-3-2
1Moloney11Harding2Leine5Bartrip14Cooper28Woodham8Fishlock4Williams6James23Rowe9Eikeland
- 1Money11HardingReserved at 40 minutes2Leine5BartripReserved at 90 minutes14 CopperBooked in 86 minutes28 WoodhamBooked in 47 minutes8Fishlock4WilliamsReplaced byCarterat 68’minutes6James23RoweReplaced byHarriesat 82’minutes9EikelandBooked in 78 minutes
Substitutes
- 7Jeon16Nayler18Carter24Flores31Roberts32Childerhouse36Harries
Referee: Stacey PearsonMatch StatsHome TeamMan City WomenAway TeamWomen’s ReadingPositionHome69% Away31% ShootingHome20Away3ShotsHome9Away2CornersHome10Away2FoulsHome9Away10Live TextPost update
End of the match, Manchester City Women 1, Reading Women 0.
90 ‘+ 5’ Full time
Second Half Final, Manchester City Women 1, Reading Women 0.
90 ‘+ 2’ Reserve
Molly Bartrip (Reading Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
90 ‘+ 1’Post update
Chloe Kelly (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.
90 ‘+ 1’Post update
Foul by Molly Bartrip (Reading Women).
87’GOALGOAL!
Goal! Manchester City Women 1, Reading Women 0. Chloe Kelly (Manchester City Women) left footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Lauren Hemp.
86 ‘Reserve
Deanna Cooper (Reading Women) is shown the yellow card.
86’Post update
Foul by Esme Morgan (Manchester City Women).
86’Post update
Danielle Carter (Reading Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
84’Post update
Corner, Manchester City Women. Corner committed by Grace Moloney.
82 ‘Substitution
Substitution, reading of women. Emma Harries replaces Rachel Rowe.
81’Post update
Foul by Alex Greenwood (Manchester City Women).
81’Post update
Natasha Harding (Reading Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
80’Post update
Auction rejected. Attempt blocked. Ellen White (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from the center of the box is blocked. Assisted by Caroline Weir.
80’Post update
Failed attempt. Caroline Weir (Manchester City Women) left footed shot from the center of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Chloe Kelly.
78’Reserve
Amalie Eikeland (Reading Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
78’Post update
Lucy Bronze (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
78’Post update
Foul by Amalie Eikeland (Reading Women).
76’Post update
Failed attempt. Samantha Mewis (Manchester City Women) header from the center of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Lauren Hemp with a cross.
73’Post update
Failed attempt. Ellen White (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from the center of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Lucy Bronze with a cross.
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Source: bbc.com
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