12 February 2020

Women's Super League round-up: Manchester City squeeze past Bristol City to stay top as Spurs fight back to draw with Everton

Manchester City began life without Nick Cushing with a slender 1-0 victory over struggling Bristol City.

Cushing departed the club following City's 2-1 win over Arsenal at the beginning of February to take a job with American men's side New York City FC.

But England defender Gemma Bonner's early strike from a Caroline Weir free-kick ensured the Women's Super League leaders took home all three points and left the title very much still in their own hands.

Tanya Oxtoby's Bristol City remain stranded at the bottom of the league on just six points and will now be hoping Arsenal can do them a favour by beating relegation-threatened Liverpool tomorrow night.

Meanwhile, Tottenham came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Everton at The Hive Stadium.

In-form striker Chloe Kelly gave the Toffees a half-time lead before Inessa Kaagman doubled the visitors advantage shortly before the hour mark.

Angela Addison pulled one back midway through the second half for the north London side, but Spurs were reduced to ten women 13 minutes from time when Rosella Ayane was shown a straight red card.

However, less than 60 seconds later Emma Mitchell struck a sensational 30 yard free-kick to snatch a point for Karen Hills' team.

Elsewhere in the WSL, Chelsea kept pace with Man City with a 2-0 victory over Birmingham at Kingsmeadow.

Guro Reiten gave the Blues the lead in the final minute of the first half and then Beth England scored her 13 league goal of the season to secure the win for Emma Hayes' title chasers.

Manchester United were held away at Brighton as the south coast side played out a 1-1 draw with Casey Stoney's women at the Peoples Football Stadium.

Brighton's Megan Walsh turned into her own net after just 15 seconds to give the home side a surprise early lead.

But Aileen Whelan scored three minutes into the second half as the spoils were shared.

And goals from Jade Moore and Brook Chaplen gave Reading a comfortable 2-0 win over West Ham at Adams Park.

Women's Super League results:

Chelsea 2-0 Birmingham City

Manchester City 1-0 Bristol City

Reading Women 2-0 West Ham United

Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Everton

Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 Manchester United

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