Sunday 19 April 2015 21:15, UK
Eni Aluko’s second-half strike maintained Chelsea’s perfect start to the FA WSL 1 as they beat champions Liverpool 1-0 at Wheatsheaf Park.
The England international and PFA player of the year nominee fired the league leaders ahead 10 minutes after the break to secure a third league victory for the Blues of the season, their first at home.
Liverpool fluffed the opportunity to snatch a point when they were awarded a penalty 20 minutes from time, but Fara Williams missed the target.
In the first meeting of last season’s top two teams, Chelsea threatened early on but Libby Stout denied Ji So-Yun, the second Blues representative in the PFA shortlist.
Liverpool hit back and Natasha Dowie almost broke clear on 29 minutes, before Asisat Oshoala fired wide from distance.
The hosts went ahead in the 55th minute through Aluko as she raced onto Laura Coombs’ lofted pass and lifted the ball over the on-rushing Stout.
Liverpool should have levelled instantly but Oshoala blazed over from inside the box and Williams then missed a glorious opportunity when the referee pointed to the spot after Aluko handled the ball.
Williams sent Hedvig Lindahl the wrong way but missed the target completely as Chelsea held on to consign Matt Beard’s side to their second defeat of the campaign.
Elsewhere, Chioma Ubogagu’s goal spoiled Manchester City’s first league game in their new home, the City Football Academy, as Arsenal avenged last season’s Continental Cup final defeat.
Jill Scott’s red card saw the hosts play much of the second half a player down but an unmarked Toni Duggan should have given City the lead after 33 minutes, meeting Abbie McManus’ cross in front of goal, but somehow heading wide.
Ubogagu struck just three minutes later - against the run of play - finding space on the left-wing before nutmegging Lucy Bronze and coolly finishing low beyond Alex Brooks.
City’s task was made harder on 57 minutes when Scott was sent off following an altercation with Jade Bailey - the Gunner booked for her part in the incident.
But, despite that, Nikita Parris came within inches of equalising on 83 minutes – clattering a post from a tight angle as the visitors held out.
Earlier, England goalkeeper Carly Telford's save of Remi Allen’s penalty, with less than 10 minutes remaining, helped claim a point for Notts County as the Magpies played out a hard-fought 0-0 draw away to Birmingham City.
