Olivia Smith on the scoreboard as Arsenal end Manchester City’s run
A strike from Olivia Smith finally put a stop to Manchester City’s 13-game-long winning streak as Arsenal secured a vital 1-0 win over the table-toppers this weekend.
Sunday’s victory saw the North-London side edge to within one point of Chelsea – with a game in hand, the Gunners now sit fourth.
Olivia Smith proves to be the difference for Arsenal
In a largely even match, with Arsenal holding 50.7% possession to City’s 49.3%, it was the early effort from Canadian Olivia Smith that proved the only major difference between the two sides.
Smith broke through on goal in the 17th minute, racing past City defender Rebecca Knaak to convert Mariona Caldentey’s through ball.
From there, the Gunners controlled long periods of the game, using Smith’s pace to challenge City’s high defensive line.
City applied pressure late on, and would have had an equaliser if not for Vivianne Miedema’s effort being ruled out for a foul on Katie McCabe.
Their first loss since the opening day of the WSL season will sting for City, but they still sit 8 points clear of Manchester United at the top of the table.
A busy week for Arsenal
Arsenal won’t have time to bask in their glory; they’re straight back to action as they continue their European campaign with a Champions League knockout first-leg trip to Leuven on Wednesday.
They’ll return to WSL action away at Brighton on Sunday, 15 February.
Manchester City will host Leicester in their next WSL match on Friday, 13 February, aiming to maintain their lead at the top of the table and bounce back from the defeat.
READ MORE: Everything You Need to Know About Olivia Smith — Women’s Football’s First £1 Million Baller
