Manchester City Women vs Reading Women. Women's Super League.
City Football Academy.
Man City Women claim 11th straight league victory to climb top of the Women's Super League ahead of champions Chelsea; Chloe Kelly's late strike overcomes stubborn Reading outfit as City Academy Stadium
Sunday 28 March 2021 07:15, UK
Chloe Kelly's last-gasp strike earned Manchester City a 1-0 win over Reading to turn up the heat on Chelsea in the Women's Super League title race.
Kelly, who had a penalty saved in City's 3-0 Women's Champions League defeat to Barcelona in midweek, struck in the 87th minute to take City a point clear of Chelsea at the top of the table.
The Blues can regain top spot on Sunday when they host Aston Villa.
City threatened first when Demi Stokes whipped a low cross that found Lucy Bronze, who squared the ball to Rose Lavelle and her effort was tipped over by Grace Moloney.
The Reading goalkeeper then produced saves from Bronze and Caroline Weir to keep her side on terms.
At the other end, Reading forward Amalie Eikeland had a close-range effort that forced Ellie Roebuck to save with her legs.
But, unsurprisingly, almost all of the pressure was coming from City and Georgia Stanway's low effort flew inches wide of a post.
Moments later a glorious opportunity fell to Lauren Hemp, but her close-range effort hit the woodwork and Reading cleared.
Gareth Taylor's side kept pressing as substitute Sam Mewis' diving header went just wide and Weir saw a fine cross palmed away by Moloney.
City finally broke the deadlock three minutes from time as Hemp burst down the left and found Kelly, who tapped home from close range to secure an important win.
Man City boss Gareth Taylor: "We spoke at half-time about if we haven't scored even in the first 20 minutes in the second half about being patient, about keeping to the process we work to.
"I think they realised that it is important to remain calm as much as we possibly can. It was a moment of magic really. Lauren Hemp providing the quality, dancing her way through, and then Chloe (Kelly) being in the position again.
"I thought the way the team handled the game today, in difficult circumstances with a little bit of time wasting from the opposition, was really good."
Reading boss Kelly Chambers: "The girls were magnificent today. They've adapted so many times today and we changed shape 15 minutes into the first half. They adapted to that brilliantly and really upset Man City.
"We were outstanding defensively and had our moments. We had two clear-cut chances that maybe we should've put to bed but their goal was a sucker-punch. We didn't defend that one moment, and unfortunately it's cost us."
City look to overturn a three-goal first-leg deficit when they host Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-final second leg on Wednesday at 4pm, before travelling to Tottenham in the WSL on Sunday at 2pm. Reading host West Ham in the WSL on Saturday at 2pm.
