Olivia Smith seals 1-0 win as Fox and McCabe stifle Man City

Olivia Smith's composed finish earned Arsenal a vital 1-0 victory over Women's Super League leaders Manchester City, giving the Gunners' push for Champions League qualification a timely lift. Renee Slegers' side, European champions last season, have piled pressure on a stuttering Chelsea in the race for the top three while still holding a game in hand.

Arsenal arrived on the back of last week's FIFA Women's Champions Cup success and a 2-0 win over Chelsea. Slegers' tactical switch, deploying the 21-year-old Smith as centre-forward with Alessia Russo deeper, paid off after 17 minutes when Mariona Caldentey threaded a pass that put Smith through; she rounded Ayaka Yamashita and finished coolly.

Arsenal were the better team early on, repeatedly forcing Yamashita into saves and putting the league leaders on the back foot. City rallied in the second half and there was a major appeal for a red card when Caldentey appeared to bring down Lauren Hemp, but no dismissal followed.

olivia smith, arsenal, manchester city, wsl, renee slegers, mariona caldentey, alessia russo, ayaka yamashita, lauren hemp, champions league