Manchester City Women Crash Out Of League Cup

Manchester City women crashed out of the League Cup on Wednesday night as they were beaten 2-1 at Arsenal. Goals by Vivianne Miedema and Danielle van de Donk gave the home side-two goal cushion, and Ellen White missed before the blues pulled a goal back through Gemma Bonner.

The blues, who wo last season’s competition, could have faced neighbours United in the final had both won their respective semis, but both faced stiff tests in the form of the Gunners and Chelsea respectively. But first, the blues had to navigate past League champions Arsenal, who they play in successive games in what will be Nick Cushing’s final matches in charge before he leaves for New York City FC.

And the outgoing boss will be hoping for a better result on Sunday when City welcome the Gunners to Manchester in a top of the table clash. The boss will also be hoping that the defensive mistakes which ultimately cost City the game on Wednesday, will be eradicated for the visit of the champions.

It took the Gunners just six minutes to get on the scoresheet, as Miedema picked up a loose ball from Bonner, before racing away and finishing with a drilled shot into the back of the net. It was a blow to City so early on, but they responded well with Tessa Wullaert firing straight at the keeper while Georgia Stanway tried her luck from long range.

But for all their effort, it was another Arsenal goal that delivered a knock-out blow, and again it was a rare mistake at the back that caused it. Dutch striker van de Donk’s low shot looked like being saved by Ellie Roebuck, only for the ball to roll between her legs and into the goal for 2-0.

City were handed a lifeline on 60 minutes when Lauren Hemp, a constant thorn for Arsenal in the first half, was upended in the penalty area and Ellen White stepped up, only to see her spot kick saved by Manuela Zinsberger. It looked to be just one of those nights, but from the resulting corner, Bonner found the target and City were back in the game.

With City streaming forward in search of an equaliser, it left the blues open to counter-attacks, but this time, Roebuck was equal to them.

On this occasion, it wasn’t meant to be and hopefully, the blues will fare better when the two side meet again on Sunday.

Final Score: Arsenal women 2-1 Man City Women