Late Beney Strike Seals 3-2 Win as Man City Leapfrog Arsenal in WSL
Manchester City edged a five-goal thriller against Arsenal in the Women’s Super League, with Iman Beney grabbing a dramatic late winner to fire City up to second in the table. The 17-year-old’s first goal for the club came in the 88th minute and ensured Andrée Jeglertz’s side leapfrogged Manchester United while cutting Chelsea’s lead at the top to just one point.
City went into the match knowing Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with United had opened the door to close the gap, and they seized the chance — though not without drama.
Casparij & Shaw combine again
The hosts struck first at the Joie Stadium thanks to the now-familiar partnership of Kerstin Casparij and Khadija Shaw. Casparij delivered a pinpoint cross and Shaw did the rest, powering her header beyond Daphne van Domselaar to give City the lead.
But Arsenal, who had been second-best in the first half, hit back immediately after the break. Mariona Caldentey found space in the box and calmly levelled the score, breathing life into Jonas Eidevall’s side.
City reclaimed the lead soon after, and again Shaw was involved. Her header forced a parry from Van Domselaar, and amid the scramble, Casparij bundled the ball home to make it 2-1.
Arsenal hit back through Kelly
Arsenal weren’t done. With time running out, former City winger Chloe Kelly produced a moment of magic. Set up by Stina Blackstenius, she cut inside and unleashed a thunderous strike into the top corner, levelling the game at 2-2 in the 83rd minute.
The Gunners looked to have rescued a valuable point, but City had other ideas
.
Beney delivers in the dying moments
With just two minutes of normal time left, Shaw’s mis-hit pass somehow found Iman Beney, and the youngster showed nerves of steel, sliding her finish past Van Domselaar to send the home crowd wild.
“To score against Arsenal in the last minute, the winning goal is something special,” Beney said afterwards. “It’s the job of all the team, so I’m grateful.”
“Freedom” the key to City’s form
The win was City’s fifth in a row, and Casparij believes Jeglertz’s philosophy has unlocked their potential.
“He wants to give us freedom for a reason,” she explained. “With the players we have, that trust and freedom is what’s clicking at the minute. Of course we’re pushing to win the league, but it’s still early days. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
For now, City can enjoy a statement victory — and with Chelsea just a point ahead, the WSL title race looks like it could go down to the wire.
