Thursday 25th May
FA WSL 1 SPRING SERIES
Manchester City v Chelsea (Academy Stadium, 7pm)
Live comentary on BBC Radio 5 live extra (online only)
Free-scoring Chelsea are ahead of Man City on goal difference and both four points behind Liverpool but with two games in hand, before this evening’s clash.
City – without the suspended FIFA World Player of the Year Carli Lloyd – are chasing a third straight victory over Chelsea after beating them 2-0 home and away last year, the second meeting clinching the WSL title.
Crucially, Liverpool have to play both sides in their two remaining games, as they head to Staines this Sunday and welcome City to Widnes on 3rd June.
Man City entertain Arsenal at the weekend and go to Sunderland next Wednesday, when Chelsea are at Bristol City.
Emma Hayes’ side finish up at Birmingham City on the last match day, where they were suffered an SSE FA Cup semi-final exit.
Although the also unbeaten Gunners cannot yet be dismissed from the race for top spot, they would likely need to win all their three remaining games and certainly not lose in Manchester.
On tonight’s clash, Manchester City boss Nick Cushing told fawsl.com:
“We know the system Chelsea play, and it’s very similar to Birmingham’s so we know the way we’ll set up will help us to almost contain them.
“People know we’re a pressing team and they know we like to keep the ball.
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes added:
“We have to respect them – they have developed a winning mentality. For us, it’s important to show every player is concentrating on doing their job with a maximum focus.
“If we do that, we have enough to cause them problems. If we get our own mentality right, I’m certain we can get the right result.
“They probably don’t have the same level of flair as we do, but they’re very strong from set pieces and have a lot of players used to winning big games.
