Match ends, Manchester City Women 2, Chelsea FC Women 2.
Man City WomenManchester City Women2Chelsea WomenChelsea Women2
Reigning champions Chelsea came from 2-0 down to draw with Women's Super League leaders Manchester City.
First-half goals from Tessa Wullaert and Georgia Stanway looked to be sending City four points clear of second-placed Arsenal, who have two games in hand.
But Ji So-yun gave Chelsea hope from close range early in the second half.
And their second-half pressure eventually told when Ji's deflected free-kick found the net late on.
Nick Cushing's City are two points clear of the Gunners, who did not have a WSL game on Sunday, while third-placed Chelsea's slim title hopes remain intact as they are still six points behind the leaders.
Wullaert had capitalised on Millie Bright's error to put the hosts in front and Stanway doubled the lead, finishing off a neat move with an accurate low finish from 20 yards.
But Nikita Parris, making her 100th WSL appearance, missed two one-on-ones in the second half to kill the game off and Chelsea took full advantage.
Manchester City head coach Nick Cushing:
"We should have won the game. We were put under pressure but we had two great chances on the counter that we should have scored.
"We're disappointed but as the coach, I get it. There are reasons why it happens and we just need to make sure we learn from it and move forward.
"We have just got to make sure it doesn't affect us in the short-term."
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes:
"I said at half-time [that] it's not difficult. Be aggressive, do what you're good at, and you have to show them what champions are like in the second half.
"I can't remember the last time we had to dig our way back from 2-0 down. It was gutsy.
"I thought it was a game of mistakes and opportunities for both teams. The 2-2 scoreline is reflective, in my opinion."
Line-ups
Man City Women
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1Bardsley
- 4Bonner
- 6Houghton
- 5Beattie
- 3Stokes
- 25WullaertSubstituted forHempat 80'minutes
- 8Scott
- 24WalshBooked at 90mins
- 19WeirSubstituted forCampbellat 90+2'minutes
- 12Stanway
- 17ParrisSubstituted forBeckieat 90+3'minutes
Substitutes
- 9Bremer
- 11Beckie
- 14Morgan
- 15Hemp
- 20Campbell
- 22Emslie
- 26Roebuck
Chelsea Women
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Lindahl
- 3Blundell
- 4BrightBooked at 6mins
- 16Eriksson
- 20Andersson
- 5IngleSubstituted forBachmannat 76'minutes
- 24SpenceBooked at 18mins
- 22Cuthbert
- 10Ji
- 8CarneySubstituted forKirbyat 64'minutes
- 15England
Substitutes
- 6Asante
- 7Carter
- 11Riley
- 14Kirby
- 21Cooper
- 23Bachmann
- 30Berger
- Referee:
- Matthew Dicicco
- Attendance:
- 3,078
Match Stats
Home TeamMan City WomenAway TeamChelsea Women
- Possession
- Home40%
- Away60%
- Shots
- Home15
- Away20
- Shots on Target
- Home7
- Away9
- Corners
- Home5
- Away8
- Fouls
- Home7
- Away8
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Manchester City Women 2, Chelsea FC Women 2.
Post update
Foul by Drew Spence (Chelsea FC Women).
Post update
Georgia Stanway (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Ramona Bachmann (Chelsea FC Women) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
Substitution
Substitution, Manchester City Women. Janine Beckie replaces Nikita Parris.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Lauren Hemp (Manchester City Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Lauren Hemp (Manchester City Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Substitution
Substitution, Manchester City Women. Megan Campbell replaces Caroline Weir.
Post update
Foul by Jonna Andersson (Chelsea FC Women).
Post update
Nikita Parris (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Booking
Keira Walsh (Manchester City Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Ji So-Yun (Chelsea FC Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Keira Walsh (Manchester City Women).
Goal!
Goal! Manchester City Women 2, Chelsea FC Women 2. Ji So-Yun (Chelsea FC Women) from a free kick with a right footed shot to the top left corner.
Post update
Drew Spence (Chelsea FC Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Nikita Parris (Manchester City Women).
Post update
Attempt saved. Francesca Kirby (Chelsea FC Women) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Post update
Offside, Manchester City Women. Caroline Weir tries a through ball, but Jill Scott is caught offside.
Post update
Foul by Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea FC Women).
