Manchester City extended their winning run in the Women’s Super League with a 3-2 victory over Brighton after almost surrendering a commanding early lead at the Joie Stadium.
The defending champions raced three goals clear inside 17 minutes, with Khadija Shaw scoring twice before Niamh Charles added a third.
However, goals from Olivia Garcia and Caitlin Hayes brought Brighton back into contention before half-time, leaving City to protect a narrow advantage through an uneven second half.
Lauren Hemp created both of Shaw’s goals as their partnership caused Brighton immediate problems.
Charles then drilled home to put Andree Jeglertz’s side firmly in control.
City had opportunities to extend their lead further, with Shaw, Hemp and Grace Clinton all threatening before the half-hour mark.
But the hosts lost their early urgency, allowing Brighton time to settle into possession and work their way back into the contest.
Garcia pulled a goal back by turning in Fran Kirby’s cut-back, before Hayes headed home to reduce the deficit to one.
Having looked capable of settling the match before the interval, City instead reached half-time with their advantage under threat.
The second half produced fewer clear openings.
Shaw went close with a low effort, but City struggled to recover the attacking rhythm that had made them so dangerous early on.
Brighton, despite their spirited response, could not find an equaliser as the hosts did enough to secure the points and maintain their lead at the top.
Arturo Ruiz’s visitors remain on one league victory under their new manager.
City’s explosive start gives way to frustration
Despite fresh injury concerns and further changes to the starting line-up, City began with confidence and precision.
Shaw and Hemp repeatedly exposed Brighton’s defence, while Charles impressed at left-back and Aoba Fujino offered energy on the opposite flank.
Hayes’ defensive interventions and saves from Chiamaka Nnadozie helped prevent an even heavier early deficit for the visitors.
Yet City’s dominance faded as their passing slowed and their movement became less effective, giving Brighton a route back into the game.
Jeglertz attributed the shift to his team becoming too comfortable.
He felt their reduced intensity allowed Brighton to score twice unnecessarily, and used the interval to remind his players of the standards they had set in the opening stages.
Kirby became increasingly influential as Brighton found space in midfield, while Garcia’s determination and Kiko Seike’s attacking threat gave the visitors renewed belief.
Jeglertz introduced Mary Fowler and Carlotta Wamser early in the second half, but the changes did not fully restore City’s fluency.
The champions ultimately held on, although their performance after the opening spell left room for improvement.
Brighton recover but rue costly opening
Brighton showed resilience after a disastrous start, but their early defensive problems proved decisive.
Garcia’s aggression, Kirby’s creativity and Hayes’ contribution at both ends helped turn a potentially heavy defeat into a competitive contest.
However, they could not sustain enough attacking pressure after the break to seriously threaten City’s lead.
Ruiz described his side’s opening as unacceptable and acknowledged that he shared responsibility for their lack of confidence.
He felt City’s quality, combined with Brighton’s uncertainty in possession, had contributed to their difficulties.
Although he believed fatigue affected his players in the second half, he praised their effort and called for greater clarity and efficiency with the ball.
Brighton left Manchester with encouragement from their recovery, but also a clear reminder of how costly a poor start can be against the champions.
