Erin Cuthbert scored a dramatic injury-time winner for Chelsea against Manchester City, helping the Blues recover from their midweek Champions League loss and keeping them firmly on track for a sixth consecutive Women's Super League (WSL) title.
The Scotland midfielder's decisive diving header sealed a thrilling encounter between the two rivals, who had already faced each other twice in the past eight days.
The match also featured controversy as City's Jess Park had a goal disallowed that would have doubled their lead, with the referee failing to play advantage after blowing for a free-kick — a mistake City’s interim manager Nick Cushing claimed the officials later admitted.
Chelsea's impressive 31-game unbeaten streak across all competitions had been ended just days earlier when City secured a 2-0 victory in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at Joie Stadium.
That result offered City a measure of revenge for their League Cup final loss to Sonia Bompastor's side just four days prior.
In Sunday's WSL clash, City appeared poised for back-to-back wins as they controlled the first half.
A brilliant solo effort from Brazilian winger Kerolin gave the hosts a deserved 32nd-minute lead at the Etihad Stadium.
However, Chelsea responded brilliantly in the second half, with Aggie Beever-Jones calmly finishing four minutes after the restart to level the score.
Despite City's goalkeeper Khiara Keating making a series of outstanding saves to deny the visitors, Cuthbert ultimately broke through in added time, nodding home Ashley Lawrence's cross to secure a crucial victory.
With just five games remaining, Chelsea sit eight points clear of second-placed Arsenal, while City’s hopes of securing a Champions League spot for next season hang in the balance.
They are now four points behind Manchester United, who still have a game in hand.
Chelsea's Resilience Shines Through Despite Slow Start
After their midweek loss — Bompastor's first defeat in 28 matches as Chelsea manager — the head coach had called for greater intensity from her side.
Yet, the opening half at the Etihad Stadium saw Chelsea struggle, with City dictating play and Kerolin terrorizing Niamh Charles on the right flank.
Kerolin’s clever finish through Millie Bright’s legs put City ahead, and they nearly doubled their advantage when Park's goal was ruled out due to a controversial decision by referee Kirsty Dowle.
Instead of allowing the advantage, Dowle had already blown her whistle for a foul on Kerolin just as Park's strike nestled into the top corner.
Yui Hasegawa struck the crossbar from the resulting free-kick, a missed opportunity that ultimately proved costly.
After halftime, Chelsea emerged with renewed urgency.
A sharp cutback from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd set up Beever-Jones to equalize, and while Keating’s impressive goalkeeping kept City level for most of the second half, Cuthbert’s late heroics sealed the win.
Bompastor will hope this newfound momentum can inspire her squad ahead of Thursday’s Champions League second leg at Stamford Bridge, where they must overturn a two-goal deficit.
Kerolin and Keating Star, but City's Controversial Miss Proves Costly
City entered the match on a high following their midweek victory, and it showed in their dynamic first-half performance.
Kerolin, whose pace and skill outmatched Charles repeatedly, gave a glimpse of her brilliance.
Only a well-timed interception from Lucy Bronze and a save from Hannah Hampton denied the Brazilian an earlier breakthrough.
Kerolin finally got her reward with a smart finish, but City's joy was cut short by the disallowed goal incident.
Interim manager Cushing expressed his frustration, revealing that officials admitted their mistake and apologized for the misjudgment.
Goalkeeper Khiara Keating, stepping in for the injured Ayaka Yamashita, delivered a standout performance, denying efforts from Wieke Kaptein, Lauren James, and Rytting Kaneryd.
However, it was not enough to stop Cuthbert's last-gasp winner.
Cushing, who only returned to the club 13 days ago following Gareth Taylor’s departure, now faces the difficult task of revitalizing his side ahead of their upcoming visit to Chelsea.
With City’s Champions League qualification hopes fading, they must regain focus to salvage their season.