Arsenal kept their hopes of beating Bayern Munich to top spot in Women’s Champions League Group C alive with a commanding 3-1 victory over Valerenga in frozen Norway.
The Gunners will now compete in a head-to-head with the German side next Wednesday at Meadow Park to determine who progresses as group winners and who settles for second place. Arsenal are currently one point shy of Bayern in the standings.
Renee Slegers’ side, on a six-game winning run, were completely dominant in Oslo – where temperatures had dropped below zero before kick-off – outclassing their hosts and netting three well-worked goals.
A rejuvenated Alessia Russo scored either side of the break, with Frida Maanum’s fourth goal in six games sandwiched between, as Slegers extended her unbeaten streak as interim boss to nine games.
Valerenga pulled a late goal back via substitute Tilde Lindwall but were ultimately unable to match Arsenal’s quality. The Londoners will need to beat the German champions – who won the reverse fixture 5-2 in October – on the final matchday to claim top spot.
Man City 2-0 St Polten
Alex Greenwood went down injured in the first half
A serious-looking injury to captain Alex Greenwood overshadowed Manchester City’s 2-0 victory over St Polten.
The England defender went down in obvious pain during the first half, clutching her left knee and covering her face with her shirt as she was carried off on a stretcher.
City will hope the injury is not as bad as it appeared but it marred a night that featured a debut to remember for 18-year-old Lily Murphy, who only signed her first professional contract last week.
Lily Murphy fired Man City ahead on her full debut
The teenage City fan was lively throughout and held her arms aloft in delight when she tapped in the opening goal in the 55th minute, with Kerstin Casparij also scoring her first goal for the club.
The victory maintained Gareth Taylor’s side’s perfect record in the competition, although Barcelona’s victory over Hammarby means they are not yet assured of top spot in the group ahead of a trip to Catalonia next week.
Khadija Shaw was rested for the match at the Joie Stadium, paving the way for Murphy to make her first start, and the academy graduate came close in only the fifth minute, breaking through and sending in a shot that was saved by Carina Schulter.
Sophie Hillebrand shot over with a rare chance for St Polten before the mood in the stadium changed when Greenwood went down following a challenge with Melanie Brunnthaler.
Following lengthy treatment, she was replaced by Laia Aleixandri and City briefly struggled to regain their composure, with goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita nearly caught out as she waited to clear the ball.
The breakthrough came 10 minutes into the second half, Aoba Fujino’s cross from the left somehow finding its way across to Murphy, who could not miss.
The teenager was irrepressible and her cross nearly set up a second for Casparij, who headed just past the post.
Murphy then shot just wide before, in the 66th minute, Fujino again crossed from the left and this time Casparij arrived in the centre of the box to tuck home.
City could have scored more but had to settle for two in a game they completely dominated.
