Manchester City leapfrogged defending champions Chelsea to go second in the Women’s Super League with an impressive victory over the Blues on Sunday.
Filippa Angeldahl’s brilliantly lofted 20th-minute strike put City ahead, before Lauren Hemp doubled the lead.
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City’s first league win over Chelsea since 2017 means they only trail leaders Manchester United on goal difference at the top of the table.
Chelsea are a point back in third but have a game in hand.
This was their first WSL defeat since the opening game of the season, while City remain unbeaten in the league since a defeat by Chelsea last September.
The meeting of the title contenders, which marked Women’s Football Weekend, was watched by 5,222 fans at Academy Stadium, just shy of City’s record crowd at their home stadium.
This was their first WSL defeat since the opening game of the season, while City remain unbeaten in the league since a defeat by Chelsea last September.
The high press brought City six corners in the first 20 minutes, while they constantly attacked down the right where Chloe Kelly looked to cut inside with menace – and it was from the right side that the first-half goals came.
This was the 11th time Hemp has both scored and assisted in a WSL game, having set up Angeldahl for the opener.
City looked every inch a side which have not lost in 90 minutes since 25 September, and must now be considered a serious contender for the WSL title.
In defence Chelsea were unusually shaky, clearly missing Millie Bright who was absent after picking up an injury during their midweek Champions League quarter-final first-leg win over defending champions Lyon.
Hayes said Bright should be back in time to face the French side for next week’s second leg.
Kerr, currently on 49 WSL goals, had few chances, firing straight at Ellie Roebuck early on before being denied from a tight angle by the City keeper in the second half.
Chelsea improved after the break, however their best chance of the whole game came in injury time, Melanie Leupolz volleying over from 12 yards.
Hayes was also given another worry when Erin Cuthbert limped off with an injury in the second half, leaving the Scottish midfielder a doubt for the second leg against Lyon.
