Arsenal's title hopes suffered a blow on Wednesday night after they were narrowly edged 1-0 at Leigh Sports Village against Manchester United.
After a lively opening few minutes, the injury to Leah Williamson took the sting out of the game for both sides as the first half went on. There was a real lack of impetus from both sets of players before Alessia Russo fired the hosts in front on the brink of halftime.
Former Gunner Nikita Parris broke down the right and her cut back into the box fell perfectly for the England striker, who fired it into the back of the net. Arsenal needed to dig deep second half and get something out of the game to keep their title hopes alive.
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There was a greater intensity after the break and Arsenal pushed forward, but they didn't cause the United backline any major problems as they managed just one shot on target across the 90 minutes. Despite a flurry of late chances, it was the hosts who hung on to clinch all three points.
Here's how the players got on at Leigh Sports Village...
Manuela Zinsberger - Dealt with a few crosses into the box well. Was a little bit static for Russo's goal but did well to deny the goalscorer a second at the beginning of the second half. Almost clinched the winner with the last kick of the game as she went up for a corner but could only send her half-volley over the bar. 6.
Laura Wienroither - Another player who had a difficult first half. Not very influential and subbed for Jennifer Beattie at halftime. 5.
Lotte Wubben-Moy - Solid in the air and dealt with United's aerial threat well. Quiet game. 5.
Rafaelle Souza - Some crucial defending second half to stop United from countering as Arsenal pushed more players forward in search of an equaliser. The Brazilian was alert to everything and dealt with Russo well. 6.
Noelle Maritz - Wasn't alert to Nikita Parris' run down the right to carve out United's opener. Was beaten for pace and couldn't stop the cut back into Russo in the box. 5.
Leah Williamson - Evening was cruelly cut short as she hit the turf and immediately signalled to the bench. She limped off and appeared to be putting no weight on her knee. England and Arsenal fans face an anxious wait to discover the extent of the injury. N/A.
Lia Walti - A little loose in possession at times but did extremely well to control the midfield battle after the injury to Williamson. 6.
Frida Maanum - Concern in the first half as she also went down with an injury and required treatment, but was fortunately okay to continue. Had a huge opportunity to level the scoreline from a free-kick late on but it was high and wide. A wasted chance. 6.
Victoria Pelova - Dropped into more of a central role after Williamson's injury. Did extremely well to keep a hold of possession when under pressure and put in a real shift. 6.
Kathrine Kuhl - Quiet first half on the wing, but failed to do anything of note. Subbed at halftime as Eidevall opted for a formation change. 5.
Stina Blackstenius - Wasn't able to make the most of a three-v-one situation early in the second half. Was lively at times, but didn't threaten the United defence enough. 5.
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