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Lauren Hemp scored the winner as champions Manchester City battled to a 2-1 Women’s Super League victory at London City Lionesses.
Hemp struck in the 74th minute, moments after Jana Fernandez had cancelled out Khadija Shaw’s opener for City.
But it could have been a different story had the wasteful Lionesses not passed up a host of goalscoring chances.
Alexia Putellas’ Ballon d’Or trophy was on display in the unlikely surroundings of Bromley’s Hayes Lane ground and the Lionesses midfielder was in the thick of the action.
She teed up fellow Spaniard Fernandez for an early shot which drifted just wide.
There was a surprise appearance in the Lionesses goal for former England keeper Mary Earps, 897 days after her last start in the WSL.
The 33-year-old, who joined from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, justified her selection with a spectacular save from Rebecca Knaak.
Earps was at full stretch as she pushed Knaak’s bullet header against a post, and then swatted the rebound away as it threatened to spin into the net.
The hosts missed three huge chances to score before half-time. Kadidiatou Diani’s drive was blocked by Alex Greenwood, Fernandez put a far-post volley wide and Izzy Goodwin’s shot was cleared off the line by Jade Rose.
City went ahead eight minutes into the second half when Hemp’s pass sent Shaw through, the striker rounding Earps and beating Maria Perez on the line.
Shaw could have had a second only to hit a post, while Nicole Anyomi skied another glorious chance for the hosts before they drew level through Fernandez’s glancing header.
But it took City just 122 seconds to retake the lead when Hemp slid in to bury Mary Fowler’s inviting cross.
City’s narrow victory was enough to move them six points clear of the third-placed Lionesses.
Elsewhere, Arsenal’s WSL struggles continued with a late Alessia Russo goal required to salvage a draw against Aston Villa.
Russo headed home five minutes from time to cancel out a first-half opener from Chastity Grant as the pair remained level on 10 points eight games into the season.
PA
