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      Women’s FA Cup receives prize pot lift with £3million to be shared amongst teams competing for the trophy

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      THE Women’s FA Cup is to receive a bigger cash prize pot following extra funding announced by football chiefs.An amount of £3million is set to shared amongst teams battling to win the trophy from next season.
      The Women’s FA Cup will have a bigger prize pot from next seasonCredit: Reuters
      And football chiefs have pledged that more will reach the contest’s earlier rounds.
      The move comes following supporter-led protests coordinated by the Women’s Football Fan Collective and calls from club managers including a number of WSL bosses.
      At present Women’s FA Cup trophy-winning sides receives £25,000 from a pool of under £430,0000 for the 417 teams competing in the competition.
      Meanwhile the prize pot for the men’s contest sees the overall winning team collect £1.8million, with the runners-up receiving £900,000.
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      The FA hopes the increase for the women’s competition will lead to greater investment in the women’s game at the grassroots and professional levels.
      Sue Campbell, the FA’s women’s football director, said: “This increased investment highlights that we want clubs competing in it to be rewarded, while also highlighting our ongoing commitment to the women’s game.
      “It’s going to benefit so many clubs across the women’s football pyramid.”
      Earlier this season a few teams at the lower end of the sport’s pyramid flagged financial challenges they faced when competing in the competition.
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      Clapton FC Community became the first club from the seventh tier to reach the third round of the Women’s FA Cup when they faced Plymouth Argyle last December.
      The Greater London Premier Division side had to launch a Crowdfunder to cover the costs of travel for their players.
      Prior to the clash the team had earned £2,900 in prize money for the four games they had won in the run-up to the third round.
      And they stated an equivalent run in the men’s FA Cup ‘would have netted £65,629’.
      Football bosses say more details on the structure and spread of extra funding for the women’s contest will be revealed in due course.
      Campbell added: “Women’s football continues to be in a growth phase.
      “We are always looking to make improvements and investment to drive it forward and break new boundaries. More

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      in Soccer

      Women’s FA Cup reportedly due to see a ‘tenfold rise’ in prize money following fans’ protests over disparity

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      THE Women’s FA Cup could be set to see a tenfold increase in prize money, according to reports.The Guardian says football chiefs are preparing to disclose details of an increase to the contest’s cash pot thought to be more than £2.5million.
      Football bosses committed to increase prize money for teams competing in the Women’s FA CupCredit: Getty
      The move comes after the FA pledged to provide a significant rise in prize money.
      And it follows a campaign led by supporters’ activists group the Women’s Fan Collective who organised protests at games.
      Their backers led chants of ‘No ifs, no buts, we want an equal FA Cup in the competition’s fourth-round clashes this term.
      The imbalance in the prize money for the competition between the men’s and women’s game has been the subject of much debate in recent seasons.
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      Men’s trophy winners collect £1.8million while Cup-winning women’s sides receive £25,000.  
      While the winning teams of women’s fifth-round clashes played in February received £3,000, men’s sides who triumphed at the same stage were awarded £180,000.
      A number of WSL bosses have thrown their weight behind calls for an increased cash pot for the women’s competition.
      Emma Hayes, Carla Ward, Rehanne Skinner and Hope Powell are among the managers who have backed the push following criticism of the gulf in prize money.
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      In January, Brighton chief Hope Powell, 55, said: “With what the game is offering, the attention it’s receiving and the players and all that they do for the professionalisation of it all, everybody’s striving for that.
      “There is an appetite for it with where the women’s game is at now, with its fanbase at (last year’s) final at Wembley and the (crowd) numbers (of more than 40,000) that game commanded.”
      Tottenham manager Skinner, 42, added: “Everybody is working incredibly hard to evolve the women’s game.
      “That’s got to be reflected in what the prize money is and the way the clubs are supported in terms of performance levels. More

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      Skinner wants Man United ready for Royals rumble as Red Devils continue fight for a Champions League spot

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      MARC SKINNER wants his aces ready for a scrap with Reading as they enter the closing stretch of their push to play in Europe.United are third and level on points with Tottenham with just eight games left including an end-of-season clash with Chelsea.
      Man United are looking to open up gap between themselves and TottenhamCredit: Getty
      Their last duel with the Royals saw Skinner’s side seal a comfortable 2-0 home win
      And their opponents endured a disappointing run of four defeats from their opening five games.
      But since then, Kelly Chambers side, whose attacking talents include Natasha Dowie and Canada’s Deanne Rose, have undergone a resurgence.
      While the team suffered heavy losses to Brighton and Arsenal this year, they notched up eight wins from their last 13 games including a defeat of Chelsea.
      .css-16e4f55{margin:16px 0;}.css-1546w7m{background-color:rgba(237,245,242,1);margin:16px 0;}.css-1tapza8{padding:20px 15px;}.css-1bk4jdt{padding:20px 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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}DUTCH DELIGHT .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Erik ten Hag ‘is asking Man Utd stars for information on squad’
      Skinner said: “With the teams we have coming up and some of the situations will be put in, we’re going to have to scrap.
      “We have to let our football do the talking when we get those moments, but if we don’t meet the fight, we won’t get the success we want.
      “Reading are a difficult side. They have have Tash Dowie who is a wonderful finisher and a great hold-up player.
      “They have balance at the back where they can play left and right side and in Rachel Rowe, they have a really clever player in midfield.
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      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
      “I’m expecting them to mix physicality and speed with their tactical nous, so it’s going to be a very difficult game.”
      “But if we do our job right, then we’re going to cause them lots of problems.
      Man United’s trip to the Royals’ turf comes three days after their Under-21 starlets put Birmingham to the sword in the WSL Academy Cup.
      A brace from Alyssa Aherne with Karna Solskjaer providing an assist for the team’s second goal, was among the efforts that saw the team lift the trophy after a 4-1 romp.
      The team, whose performance was watched by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, have enjoyed much success this season under their manager Charlotte Healy.
      While some fans are eager to see some of the starlets transition into the first-team, Skinner intends to remain patient with their progress.
      The Red Devils boss added: “There’s a lot to quality in our group and being in the (Academy Cup final) and winning it is a great experience
      “When they step into a first-team environment that’s almost like a final for them. It’s a big mantle to jump in your head psychologically.
      “But Charlotte is doing a great job of linking the in-between path so that we can really keep testing them.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}TOP OF THE POCH .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}How Man Utd could line up under Pochettino next season with squad overhaul
      “They’ve got great abilities, but what we can’t forget is just because you perform well at that level doesn’t necessarily mean that you can take that to a better level.
      “It’s such a big gulf and we’re working hard to help them bridge the gap. It’s a longevity thing for us.” More

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      Vilda relishing battle with ‘best England team ever’ as Spain target win against Wiegman’s aces ahead of Euros

      by

      JORGE VILDA reckons Spain could be facing the greatest Lionesses side when the European giants face-off in the Arnold Clark Cup.The duel at Carrow Road will be first the time England go head-to-head with their rivals since Sarina Wiegman’s reign began in September.
      Jorge Vilda sees Spain’s duel with England as an ideal practice run for the Euros and facing players such Leah Williamson and Lucy BronzeCredit: Getty
      And both teams are targeting victory on Sunday afternoon following score draws with Germany and Canada.
      Vilda, 40, said: “This is perhaps the best England team ever. They’ve got plenty of youth in the side.
      “They’ve got players all over the pitch who can make a difference, particularly on the left wing, an excellent striker and great players in Leah Williamson and Lucy Bronze.
      “It’s a team that will put us under pressure early with the high press.
      “And when we get the ball in their half, they’re a team that offer quite adept at defending deeply to fluff out the opposition’s threats.
      “Overall, I expect to the game to be played at a very high pace, great intensity, just like the kind that you would say in the Women’s Super League.”
      Spain, who are the eighth best side in the world, have racked up two wins from their last four games against their hosts since Vilda’s appointment as manager in 2015.
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      And the team have won six of the six World Cup qualifiers they played last year including an 8-0 thrashing of Scotland in November.
      Vilda’s squad contains 10 Barcelona aces, including players from the starting 11 that swept Chelsea aside in last term’s Champions League final
      And the Spain boss sees their duel in front of Lionesses fans as the perfect preparation for the tough test they will face with England hosting the Euros this summer.
      Like their rivals Spain are yet to triumph in a major tournament with the semi-finals of the 1997 European Championship being the furthest they ever reached.
      England’s clash with Spain could see them go up against several Barcelona stars including Aitana BonmatiCredit: Getty
      Vilda added: “We love to play in this kind of atmosphere against great opponents.
      “Also with the Euros being in England, it’s great preparation for that tournament because we know exactly what it will be like playing in those stadiums in those conditions.
      “In terms of what we might be afraid of in this England team – we’re not particularly scared of anything.
      “We know what their strengths are – we know they’ve got a lot of them – but we also know their weaknesses.”
      Spain’s starting eleven is likely to feature Alexia Puttellas, 28, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2021 after a number of standout performances last season.
      I believe we have improved a lot since the 2020 SheBelieves Cup. We are a better team now.Alexia Puttellas
      The Barcelona midfielder scored the winner when her national side beat the Lionesses 1-0 in a SheBelieves Cup match in March 2020.
      Puttellas acknowledged Spain’s results against their hosts have not always been favourable with England winning the last time the teams clashed in a major tournament.
      Back in 2017 the Lionesses beat their opponents 2-0 in a Euros group stage encounter with Fran Kirby and Jodie Taylor on target.
      But the LaLiga Women’s star, who has 94 international caps, is hopeful of a different result this time round.
      Alexia Putellas believes Spain have improved since their last clash with England in March 2020 at the SheBelievesCupCredit: AFP
      Puttellas said: “It will be a high-quality contest and we’ll need to be at the top of our game to win.
      “England are going to come with a game plan and be quite resolute and difficult to break down and tough to beat. 
      “We haven’t always beaten them when we’ve played them. We haven’t had that luck all the time.
      “I believe we have improved a lot since the 2020 SheBelieves Cup. We are a better team now.”
      Arnold Clark Cup Fixtures
      February 20 – Carrow Road, Norwich
      3:15 pm – England vs Spain – ITV
      8:15 pm – Canada vs Germany – ITV4 More

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      Chelsea 3 Man Utd 1 LIVE REACTION: Blues book spot in FA Women’s League Cup final with dominant performance – updates

      by

      CHELSEA booked their spot in the FA Women’s League Cup final with a 3-1 win over Manchester United at Kingsmeadow. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
      95 mins: FULL TIME WHISTLE
      It’s a 3-1 win for Chelsea over 10-player Man United. Harder, Fleming and Carter were on target as the Blues reached their third successive Conti Cup final.
      The WSL champions scored three times in 13 minutes with Boe Risa on target for the visitors.
      93 mins: United get forward
      Ona Batlle gets into the box and whips in a dangerous low cross but the ball flies past Leah Galton.
      91 mins: Chelsea 3 Man United 1
      Six minutes of added time is to be played.
      88 mins: Chelsea substitution
      Guro Reiten is replaced by Alsu Abdullina as Chelsea look comfortably on their way to a third Conti Cup final.
      86 mins: Chelsea double substitution
      Drew Spence comes on for Jonna Andersson. And Pernille Harder comes off after a solid shift in midfield with Lauren James coming on to pantomime boos from the away fans. And the ex-Red Devils takes a shot on goal almost immediately after darting into the box.
      80 mins: United substitution and Chelsea corner
      Alessia Russo is subbed off with goalkeeper Mary Earps coming on in her place. Chelsea win a free-kick which bounces off the wall and goes out for a Blues corner but United manage to thwart the danger.
      77 mins: RED CARD FOR BAGGALEY
      The United keeper is sent off for clattering into Sam Kerr just outside the penalty area. Blundell is dispossessed and Chelsea loft the ball over the top of United’s defence for Kerr who is brought down by Baggaley.
      76 mins: Reiten cross
      Reiten delivers a dangerous cross from the left into box for Kerr, but the ball narrowly misses the Australia star goes out of play.
      68 mins: Chelsea substitution
      Jessie Fleming has come off with Sam Kerr making her first Blues appearance since returning from Asia Cup duty for the Matildas.
      65 mins – Man United substitutions
      Ivana Fuso comes on for Jackie Groenen. Martha Thomas comes off with Signe Bruun entering the fray for her Red Devils debut. The Denmark striker joined United on loan from Lyon in the January transfer window.
      63 mins – Chelsea penalty appeal
      Pernille Harder is not happy after being pushed by Thorisdottir in the penalty box. The Denmark star appeals for a penalty but the referee is having none of it.
      54 mins – Man United corner
      A good corner into the box and Chelsea struggle to get the ball out of the area. The balls ends up at Russo’s feet and she takes a firm strike but sends her effort wide.
      51 mins – Baggaley save
      Nice save from Baggaley from a Pernille Harder effort at the near post with the keeper saving with her legs, but the whistle blows for offside.
      47 mins: Harder back on the pitch
      Play has resumed and Harder is back on the pitch for the hosts
      46 mins: Second half begins
      No substitutions for either side as yet. Pernille Harder is down on the turf and play has stopped momentarily.
      Half-time: Chelsea 3 Man United 1
      Chelsea are two goals to the good with Pernille Harder in fine form in the middle of the pitch.
      Goals from Harder and Jessie Fleming saw the Conti Cup holders take a 2-0 lead before Boe Risa pulled one back for the visitors.
      And Jess Carter netted from close range to make it three for the hosts.
      A win will see Emma Hayes’ side reach the league final for the third year in the row.
      Can United find a way back into this?
      45 mins: Chelsea corner
      Cuthbert whips the ball into the box but Baggaley does well in a congested penalty area and palms it away.
      39 mins: GOAAALLL Chelsea 3 Man United 1
      Sophie Ingle sends the ball out to the left to Guro Reiten who darts into the box and crosses for Jess Carter who has timed her run perfectly. And Carter smashes the ball home past Baggaley. Chelsea’s two goal lead is restored. 
      32 mins: GOAALLL Chelsea 2 Man United 1
      United get one back through Vilde Boe Risa. It’s a lovely backheel from Jackie Groenen to Boe Risa who nets from a tight angle inside the box
      31 mins: GOOAAALL Chelsea 2 Man United 0
      Jessie Fleming doubles the Blues lead with a header that bounces over Sophie Baggaley and into the back of the net. That’s two in five minutes for Chelsea.
      26 mins: GOOOOOALLLL Chelsea 1 Man United 0
      It’s Pernille Harder who strikes first to give Chelsea the lead. The Denmark ace evades Aoife Mannion and slots the ball into the bottom corner to put the hosts 1-0 up with her 10th goal of the season.
      23 mins:
      Leah Galton works her way into the penalty box and takes a shot on goal but her effort is blocked by Cuthbert.
      20 mins: Man United corner
      United win a corner and Katie Zelem swings it in to the back post towards Thorisdottir. But she heads it out of play.
      5 mins: Harder goes for goal
      Pernille Harder’s got into a decent position on the edge of the penalty area. But her shots on goal were blocked by Maria Thorisdottir
      Chelsea’s line-up
      The Blues have made three changes to the team that beat Aston Villa on Saturday. Sam Kerr starts on the bench following her return from Asia Cup duty for Australia.
      Zecira Musovic, Aniek Nouwen, Millie Bright (C), Sophie Ingle, Jess Carter, Guro Reiten, Jess Fleming, Niamh Charles, Erin Cuthbert, Pernille Harder, Jonna Andersson
      Load more entries… More

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      in Soccer

      Chelsea ace Telford seals San Diego move as Villa close in on transfer loan swoop for Man City midfielder Scott

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      CARLY TELFORD has called time on her Chelsea career with the goalkeeper heading to National Women’s Soccer League side San Diego Wave. The Blues star’s departure for the USA comes amid reports of Jill Scott being on the verge of a temporary Aston Villa switch.
      Carly Telford is swapping Chelsea for a move to San Diego following the club’s creation in 2021Credit: Getty
      Telegraph Sport says Scott, 34, is close to agreeing to a short-term Villans move that would see her spend the rest of this term with the Midlands side.
      And they claim the midfielder, who has made 111 top tier City appearances, is expected to finalise a switch in the next 24 hours.
      It also thought the club, who will play the WSL champs in a fourth-round FA Cup duel, are on the hunt for a striker.
      It is believed Ward’s side, who moved up to ninth in the league, are keen to strengthen their attacking ranks with winger Emily Gielnik on Asia Cup duty with Australia.
      The club have netted just five times in their last nine matches across all competitions.
      Their tally includes two goals in their hardfought 2-1 win against Leicester in the WSL last time out.
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      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
      Scott’s former Sunderland’s team-mate Telford, 34, was included in the Chelsea squad for a final time when the club drew 0-0 away at Brighton.
      Her NWSL move will see her reunited with her old England team-mate Casey Stoney.
      The ex-Manchester United gaffer became the US club’s head coach last July after stepping down from the Red Devils helm.
      Telford extended her tenure with the Blues last February and took up the mentoring of their Under-16 and Under-17 goalkeepers as part of her deal.
      On the keeper leaving Chelsea, club boss Emma Hayes said: “Carly has been a fantastic servant to the club across two different spells.
      “She has been a big character in the dressing room and a hugely valued member of our squad. 
      ‘We didn’t want to lose her, but we could not hold her back from taking this fantastic opportunity in the States.
      “We wish Carly well in this next chapter of her career and she knows she’ll always be welcome back here any time.”
      Telford began her senior career at Sunderland in 2002 before a 2007 move to Leeds United followed by a 2011 transfer to Chelsea.
      The move saw her join the club ahead of the launch of the Women’s Super League that year.
      And the Sunderland-born player captained her side in the 2012 FA Cup final with Chelsea falling to a narrow defeat to Birmingham on penalties.
      Jill Scott is reportedly close to sealing a loan move to Aston VillaCredit: Getty
      Telford spent stints at Australian club Perth Glory and Notts County Ladies from 2012 to 2017 before her return to Kingsmeadow.
      The WSL veteran, who has 27 England caps, was part of the Team GB squad that reached the quarter-finals of the Tokyo Olympics women’s football tournament last summer.
      The veteran stopper received a call-up following an injury sustained by Karen Bardsley. More

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      in Soccer

      Manchester City 1: Arsenal 1: Eidevall angered by referee’s deflection as Heath helps Gunners draw at City

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      TOBIN HEATH caught Manchester City cold to rescue a dramatic injury-time point for Arsenal. The striker’s equaliser denied City a win in a clash which saw Jonas Eidevall cautioned for reacting furiously to a controversial moment leading to the hosts’ goal.
      Tobin Heath netted her first WSL goal for Arsenal to help snatch a late draw with Manchester CityCredit: Rex
      Jonas Eidevall received a yellow card for his reaction to the ball deflecting off the referee ahead of Man City’s goalCredit: Reuters
      The Gunners chief was angered by the referee’s accidental role in the build-up to City taking a second-half lead.
      A cross-field pass from Lucy Bronze bounced off the official before ending up at the feet of Demi Stokes in the lead-up to a Khadija Shaw goal.
      Football lawmakers IFAB say play must be restarted if a referee makes contact with a ball, and it remains on the pitch and the team starts a promising attack.
      Eidevall said: “I was not happy about that goal. You can clearly see that we stop playing.
      “Games like this are going to be decided by small margins.
      “Everyone is going to make mistakes, players, coaches and referees.
      “If they’re going to be on Sky Sports refereeing matches, I think the referees should be given all the resources that they need to prepare and practice, that’s where we need to help each other in the football family.
      “The only thing I’m always going to be an advocate for is to raise the things around it to give them the best possible conditions in football.”
      Adding his thoughts, City boss Gareth Taylor said: “We’ve been on the wrong end of (situations like) that this season, on many occasions with refereeing decisions, so it was nice, if that was the case, that one went our way.
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      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
      City made big some changes to their first 11 for the clash with Khadija Shaw starting in place of Ellen White.
      But perhaps the biggest call was 17-year-old Khiara Kheating making her first WSL start between the sticks against the leaders.
      The teenager, seen as one of the club’s most promising prospects, had a nervy moment early on missing a chance to claim a long ball after a ninth-minute mix-up with Steph Houghton.
      But the City starlet quickly settled and pulled off a string of assured saves including an impressive stop from Mead at the near post moments later.
      The hosts had a decent chance to counter in the 22nd minute with Lauren Hemp breaking on the left and teeing up Jess Park who sent her shot over the bar.
      And there was a minor spat near the half-hour mark with Hemp and Katie McCabe going into the ref’s book following the Arsenal dynamo’s tackle on the City winger.
      Khadija Shaw netted to help City take a second-half lead at the Academy StadiumCredit: Getty
      Moments later Lucy Bronze headed Alex Greenwood’s free-kick narrowly wide with the first half ending scoreless
      The second spell saw Leah Williamson withdrawn following the player receiving treatment in the first half.
      And the change saw the Gunners’ newest signing Rafaelle Souza enter the fray and make her presence felt with some impressive marking of Shaw.
      Arsenal had a chance to go ahead around the 52nd minute with Mead darting past Bronze and forcing a save from Kheating at the near post.
      And Jess Park forced a save from Zinsberger around the 60th minute
      A little later City broke the deadlock with Khadija Shaw’s 65th-minute tap-in.
      However, the league leaders were able to bounce back with Heath burying a bottom corner 92nd-minute effort to go two points clear at the top. 
      The result saw City denied the chance to leapfrog Tottenham to fourth with the race for top three getting tighter.  
      But it leaves them just two points behind third-placed Chelsea who have two games in hand.
      Leah Williamson came off at half-time following her recent return from injuryCredit: PA
      Taylor said: “I’m really gutted for the girls because they deserved the win with the heart and the quality that they showed at times, but this is football.
      “We’re stringing together decent performances and there are still elements to improve on. 
      ‘I’m really proud of the team and the way they performed.” More