Match report and highlights as Bunny Shaw netted her 10th goal of the WSL season; Chloe Kelly was on the scoresheet for the first time in the league; Man City overtake Arsenal ahead of the Gunners' meeting with West Ham, live on Sky Sports, on Sunday; Leicester remain rock bottom
Monday 6 February 2023 12:23, UK
A Bunny Shaw header and a world-class Chloe Kelly strike saw Manchester City over the line against bottom-club Leicester, despite a heroic effort from goalkeeper Janina Leitzig, who faced a total of 18 shots on target.
The Bayern Munich loanee was drafted in by manager Willie Kirk in January, with Leicester attempting to avoid dropping out of the Women's Super League after only two top-flight seasons.
City fired numerous warning shots during a goalless first period before Shaw's 10th league goal of the season stole the lead, as she rose highest to substitute Laura Coombs' cross, looping a header over Leitzig at full tilt (61) - the first time the ball had escaped the 'keeper's impressive clutches.
Kelly, fresh from getting off the mark in an FA Cup win over Sheffield United, put the gloss on the victory with a sensational solo strike, using the decoy run of Kerstin Casparij to engineer a yard of space and strike ferociously with her weaker left foot.
The margin of victory could have been greater but for a superb display by Leitzig, who will need to be equally imposing in the Foxes remaining 11 league outings if they are going to claw themselves out of the relegation zone.
Gareth Taylor's side, conversely, extended their unbeaten league run to 10 matches, temporarily moving ahead of Arsenal - who face West Ham, live on Sky Sports, on Sunday.
Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor:
"I really enjoyed the first 20 minutes, the football we played - we created a lot of chances and could have been out of sight. The message at half-time was that we needed to be a bit more patient in the final third.
"The last thing they wanted was for me to have a go about the chances we missed. It was a really good header from Bunny to beat a goalkeeper that was inspired today.
"It was a special header, the placement of it. Chloe's was a great finish as well - I'm really pleased for Chloe. We could have had five or six today, quite easily."
Sky Sports' Laura Hunter:
It's almost cruel that Janina Leitzig ended up on the losing side. She was outstanding for Leicester and will be key to any faint survival hopes. It's an uphill battle from here, but one area that needed vast improvement was between the sticks.
Leicester's clean sheet against Brighton last time out was their first of the current WSL season, and in 10 league encounters, dating back to the previous campaign. That shutout marked Leitzig's debut.
The goalkeeper joined Leicester in January having earned nine clean sheets in her last 13 Bayern appearances. She's got real pedigree at only 23-years-old. Her stature, at six foot tall, is an obvious blessing but she's got talent to match.
She saved with her hands and legs, she claimed big crosses, she stood up in 1v1s, her positioning was precise and intelligent. It really was an astonishing individual performance - the two she did concede were both unstoppable. The run-in is going to be tough for the Foxes but if they stand any chance of a resurgence they are sure to need the services of Leitzig. She's quite literally a game-changer.
Elsewhere, Brighton picked up a vital point in their battle to beat the drop after Julia Olme struck in the second half to earn a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa.
Kayleigh Green had put through her own net to give Villa a half-time lead, but Olme ensured the takings were shared with a firm finish in the 74th minute.
It's a mega weekend of WSL action up next! Manchester City host Arsenal on February 11, live on Sky Sports Football, kick-off 12.30pm. At the opposite end of the table, Leicester travel to ninth-placed Liverpool on Sunday February 12, kick-off 2pm.
And if you're interested in more live action from the WSL, you can delve into Manchester United's trip to Spurs, live on Sky Sports Football, also on Sunday February 12 from 11.30am, kick-off 12pm.
