Lauren Hemp got Manchester City back to winning ways in the Women's Super League as they edged past London City Lionesses 2-1.
City were under pressure for much of the game but took the lead against the run of play through Khadija Shaw. Jana Fernandez got a deserved equaliser for London City, but Hemp soon struck to earn the champions three points.
London City started on the front foot, with Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas prodding just wide from inside the six-yard box after only a minute.
Fernandez drilled wide after a lovely flowing move, while Lucia Corrales also missed the target, but it was Mary Earps who had the standout moment of the first half.
Alex Greenwood picked out Rebecca Knaak, who made block after block for City at the other end, and the defender nodded on goal from point-blank range, but Earps tipped it onto the post before clawing the ball back off the line, and Grace Clinton fired wide on the rebound.
Kadidiatou Diani saw a shot blocked by Greenwood, while Danielle van de Donk was forced wide when she was denied by Ayaka Yamashita, with Isobel Goodwin's follow-up cleared off the line.
London City started the second half on top as well, with Goodwin almost sneaking a shot through Yamashita's legs before the goalkeeper recovered to keep it out.
But City punished their hosts' profligacy in the 53rd minute with a blistering counter-attack. Hemp slid it through to Shaw, who rounded Earps before rifling over Maria Perez and into the roof of the net.
They gained no control, though, despite Shaw hitting the foot of the right post after another counter, and London City got level when Fernandez's looping header beat Yamashita 72 minutes in.
However, City made their next attack count two minutes later as Mary Fowler recycled a blocked cross to put it on a plate for Hemp, who got in front of Fernandez to turn it in.
Get in!! 1-2 @okx" >@okx https://t.co/Ew0ABgromE
— Manchester City Women (@ManCityWomen" >@ManCityWomen) November 1, 2026
City find a way to win it
Last weekend, City's 100% start in the WSL was halted by a 1-1 draw with Manchester United, and though they got back to winning ways here, it was far from easy.
It is the first time City have avoided defeat in their first eight games of a WSL campaign (W7 D1) since 2018-19 (unbeaten in first 19).
London City, though, will be wondering how they walked away empty-handed after having 24 shots (six on target) worth 3.1 expected goals (xG). They also had a whopping 52 touches in the opposition box, to City's 13.
The champions, by contrast, mustered just seven attempts worth 1.93 xG but were clinical as they scored with two of their three shots on target.
Shaw was never going to miss the chance when it was presented to her, though, and she is now just the third player to score in eight or more consecutive WSL starts (nine goals), after Sam Kerr in November 2021 and Beth England in September 2020 (both runs of 10).
But it was their defence that ultimately proved the most vital piece of the puzzle, with Knaak particularly effective as she made five blocks and three clearances.
It is a win which moves City three points clear of Chelsea at the top, but Arsenal lost further ground on the leaders after having to come from behind to draw 1-1 with Aston Villa thanks to Alessia Russo's late goal.