Manchester City had to dig deep to win at London City Lionesses, who impressed in a thrilling Women's Super League display at Hayes Lane.

In a chaotic second half, Khadija Shaw scored against the run of play to give Manchester City the lead, before Jana Fernandez equalised with a header.

That felt like just reward for London City Lionesses, who had missed countless opportunities in a dominant first-half display.

However, the hosts' celebrations were short-lived as Lauren Hemp diverted in a cross from Mary Fowler two minutes later to regain Manchester City's lead.

It was a devastating blow for Eder Maestre's side, who were the better team and showed they can compete with England's elite.

They were punished for their lack of ruthlessness - a trait WSL top-scorer Shaw has in abundance, and she delivered when it mattered most for Manchester City.

Her goal sparked a response from Fernandez but defending champions Manchester City were unwilling to give in and Shaw hit the post before Hemp's winner.

London City Lionesses goalkeeper Mary Earps was handed her first league start and impressed, tipping Rebecca Knaak's header on to the post and clawing it off the line in the first half after Grace Geyoro squandered one of many London City chances.

The result ensures Manchester City continue to set the pace at the top of the table, while the performance provides huge optimism for London City Lionesses.

Maestre's side have showed glimpses of what they are capable of this season but have struggled to sustain their performances for the full 90 minutes.

But this was the best display from them to date as they overpowered the defending champions in a dominant first half.

Within 30 seconds, they tested Manchester City's backline and could have been 1-0 up when Knaak almost deflected in Lucia Corrales' dangerous cross.

That set the tone for a thrilling 45 minutes in which London City should have been out of sight.

Chances came and went for Fernandez, Danielle van de Donk, Izzy Goodwin, Alexia Putellas and Kadidiatou Diani, with nothing to show from them.

Visitors Manchester City had been on the backfoot but still carried a threat with their devastating frontline and almost broke the deadlock through Knaak's header.

They were only denied by the brilliance of goalkeeper Earps, who was handed a first WSL start and made an excellent double save to push Knaak's header on to the post and claw the rebound off the line.

London City went in at half-time having had 12 shots, nine of them inside the box - but only two on target. They were wasteful and were later made to pay.

More chances went begging early in the second half and it felt inevitable that Manchester City would punish them eventually.

It took one pass from Hemp to find Shaw and the WSL's top-scorer showed her class, rounding Earps and firing the ball into the roof of the net from close range.

London City responded well and kept the pressure on, winning a corner on the left-hand side, which Fernandez capitalised on, flicking her header into the far corner to make it 1-1.

But the difference between the sides was confirmed by Hemp's winner, as despite London City's dominance it was the big players in the big moments that decided the game.

Manchester City started the season strongly, building on their success in 2025-26, and set the tone for their WSL rivals.

They remain unbeaten in all competitions but have shown vulnerabilities in defence and have been tested in Europe, drawing all three of their Women's Champions League matches.

Off the back of successive draws with Manchester United and Paris St-Germain, it felt like a good time for London City to face them - and they did not shy away from the challenge.

Andree Jeglertz's side were under pressure for 52 minutes and struggled to keep the ball as London City's aggression and intensity pinned them inside their own half.

Hemp and Shaw provided an outlet still, and Knaak was a threat on set-pieces, but it needed a moment of brilliance to interrupt London City's onslaught.

England international Hemp played a piercing pass through London City's defence for Shaw to run on to and the Jamaican waited for Earps to come off her line and coolly rounded her.

It was the clinical finish London City craved and was proof that in Shaw, Manchester City always have a game-changer that can help them out in difficult situations.

City had to dig deep again when Fernandez equalised and their response will please Jeglertz, but more defensive cracks were on show and it was proof this season will not be a breeze for them.