WSL: Smith strikes as Arsenal end Man City’s 13-match winning run

Arsenal beat Manchester City 1-0 at home on Sunday to hand the Women’s Super League leaders their second defeat of the season as Olivia Smith’s first-half goal destroyed the visitor’s 13-match winning run.

Fresh from victory in the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, Arsenal displayed a dominant first half, controlling the ball for long periods, while City threatened only sporadically.

Arsenal took the lead in the 17th minute when Mariona Caldentey threaded a pass through City’s defense, and Smith used her pace to race behind defender Rebecca Knaak, rounding goalkeeper Ayaka ‌Yamashita ‌to roll the ball into an empty net.

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City had Yamashita to thank for not conceding again after making a number of smart saves, twice denying Alessia Russo late in the half when she had a shot in, and again when she directed a header home from a corner.

City started the second half with improved intentions, continually probing Arsenal’s defense through Lauren Hemp, Khadija Shaw and Vivianne Miedema.

However, it lacked the decisive final pass as Arsenal – backed by more than 39,000 fans at the Emirates Stadium – defended smartly to climb to third in the standings.

Published on February 8, 2026