Manchester City fought to the bitter end with nine players vs Chelsea

Gareth Taylor has harped on about how continuity in the squad set-up is the secret sauce to Women’s Super League success however it’s probably got something to do with not having two players sent off. England stalwarts Alex Greenwood and Lauren Hemp were both shown two yellows, leaving Manchester City to fight with nine players.

The home side kept hold of their 1-0 lead into stoppage time despite being a player down for the majority of the 90 minutes, and then two players down for the final 10. But Guro Reiten equalised deep in stoppage time capitalising from a messy corner.

Greenwood picked up her first yellow for pushing a Blue off the ball. But the City captain was shown a second yellow for time-wasting. It was swiftly followed by a yellow for each Kelly and Laia Alexandri for their reply.

Lauren Hemp was shown a yellow card on the hour mark for a challenge and was shown her second roughly 20 minutes later.

City's level for the much of the match was impressive and it only took three minutes before Jill Roord tested Zecira Musovic and then another four for Chloe Kelly to give the home side the lead. She thundered a strike from outside the box, beyond Musovic’s touch, the sweet spot between fingertips and the crossbar, courtesy of a Jess Carter deflection.

You could be forgiven for thinking this City side have five seasons together. Their cohesion was a joy to watch, flawless passages of play early doors, one touch around the park to trouble the visitors.

But it’s the second game of the season and only the second year this squad have been water-tight, bar Roord of course. They’ve stabilised from City’s devastating max exodus of 2021 and the fact Taylor left out last-season stalwarts Kerstin Casparij, Laura Coombs and