London City Lionesses 1, Manchester City 2.

London City fell to a late and narrow defeat in front of a record-breaking 3418 crowd at the CopperJax Community Stadium, Bromley. 

Khadija Shaw's late strike saw Manchester City take the spoils after a spirited and competitive display from Eder Maestre’s outfit, who went toe-to-toe with the league leaders.

Shaw pounced on a loose ball in the box in the 86th minute after Freya Godfrey had hit a deserved leveller for the hosts. 

In what was a competitive contest throughout, the home start started well and on the front foot.

The title-chasing side took the lead through winger Kerolin Nicoli in the 11th minute, she latched on to a neat through ball from Vivianne Miedema before slotting a low finish beyond stopper Elene Lete.

Lete then saved well from Shaw and held an effort from Lauren Hemp as the Manchester side began to play with confidence. 

London City forward Isobel Goodwin was prominent throughout the contest and especially the opening 45 minutes, hitting the woodwork twice, first racing clear of the visitors' high line only to be denied by a fingertip save from City keeper Ayaka Yamashita, who did really well to turn the ball on to the post. 

Moments later, Goodwin climbed above Rebecca Knaak at the back post to thunder a header off the crossbar, the ball fell into the six-yard box but was scrambled clear. 

Manchester City also carved opportunities and could have extended their lead before the break. The pick of the lot came from a Shaw dart to the byline but her cutback was cleared before the incoming Miedema could turn home.

London City began the second half pushing high and on the front foot. 

They created two golden chances but captain Kosovare Asllani couldn’t keep her effort down after a smart cutback from Lucía Corrales, and Wassa Sangaré had a close-range header blocked by a brilliant defensive recovery from Shaw.

Godfrey’s leveller arrived with just under 20 minutes remaining, the winger beat the defender with a step over before firing into the roof of the net.

Both sides continued to work hard and push but it was Andrée Jeglertz’s side who took the victory, Shaw’s goal in the 86^th minute the difference.

The defeat leaves London City in eighth place in the Barclays Women’s Super League, but the side can be proud of their efforts against a side now nine-points clear of second-placed Chelsea following the weekend results.

Head coach Eder Maestre said: “I am very proud of our team, I feel we deserved more from the game. 

“We want the players to understand mentality and mindset is important, that warrior mentality and we showed some of that today but can do more. 

“This game could be a game-changer, if we can reach these levels against Manchester City it's a good point to start building something stronger. 

"We need to use these games to encourage and empower the team. 

“We grew in confidence during the game. We started asserting ourselves and showing good signs of what we were working on in the week. 

“In the second half we deserved more. We were in the game for the whole match and we have played well and just fallen short.” 

And Maestre also paid tribute to the London city supporters and spoke of his immense pride at overseeing his first home game in Bromley.

Maestre added: “It was a special day in front of our home fans against the league leaders. 

“There were a lot of emotions inside me. 

"I’m very excited with the energy our supporters bring to us.

"I’m very very pleased and delighted with the reception, thank you all.”  

London City are back in action on Sunday 1st February where they face Brighton & Hove Albion in the Barclays Women’s Super League in Crawley.

They are back at the CopperJax Community Stadium on Sunday 8th February against Everton.

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Teamsheet: Lete, Fernández, Pattinson (Van de Donk 64'), Pérez, Corrales, Asllani, Godfrey (Parris 78'), Roddar (Geyoro 70'), Goodwin (Franssi 85'), Sangaré, Kennedy.