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Coming right out of the international window, London City picked up precisely where it left off, clinching its second straight win, and fourth in the last five games in a 2-0 triumph on the road against Sheffield United.
With the victory, London City increased its point total to 20 through nine contests this season, putting it at the top of the table for the first time this season over Bristol City on goal differential.
The Lionesses began the match on the front foot, and just five minutes in, London City found the breakthrough in front of a record crowd for women’s football at Bramall Lane.
Amy Rodgers fired a precise right-footed shot that hit the post and found its way into the back of the net to shock the Blades in the 5’ of the contest.
The Blades would respond with consecutive chances, going close to an equalizer, launching a shot off the crossbar in the 20’.
For the rest of the half, London City settled in and mounted pressure on a Sheffield United defense that has not allowed a first-half goal in the Championship since the middle of October.
Jamie-Lee Napier’s left-footed strike was just wide of the post in the 25’, and just seven minutes later, the Lionesses put together several passes that nearly resulted in a Sarah Ewens’ goal.
London City continued to put stress on the Blades’ backline, but after 45 minutes, the Lionesses went into the locker room with a one-goal lead.
A composed, and professional performance in the back continued for London City in the second half as Sheffield United struggled to create any quality opportunities.
Ewens was on the verge of netting her sixth league goal of the season in the 68', but an offside flag denied her from breaking down the Blades' defense for the second time.
With the Lionesses in need of a second goal to put the game away, Atlanta Primus doubled the London City lead through an assist from Napier with just nine minutes remaining.
Her strike went past the outstretched arms of the Blades’ goalkeeper and settled itself into the bottom-left corner to confirm the three points for London City.
For the fourth consecutive time, the Lionesses sealed their fourth straight clean sheet on the road, and sixth in the last seven league matches.
It was just the second time all season that Sheffield United failed to score in front of the crowd at Bramall Lane.
London City will take a week's hiatus from league action, and will return to Princes Park next weekend for a clash against Brighton and Hove Albion in the Conti Cup.
Head Coach, Melissa Phillips
"The way we competed was fantastic, but I think we scored goals at very critical times in the game today."
"The resiliency of this team is formattable, and I think that we see that one full display today. We managed the game in ways we needed to manage it.
"To keep clean sheets on the road, and keep scoring goals puts us in the position we want to be in."
"We know that Sheffield United are a gritty team, and they make it a really tough game, and a really tough place to play...to keep a clean sheet is fantastic."