WSL: Chloe Kelly scores to propel Manchester City to the top of the table

Manchester City moved to the top of the Women's Super League table with a 1-0 victory over Leicester, thanks to an early goal by England international Chloe Kelly.

The hosts had gone unbeaten in their first three games of the season before being caught off guard by Kelly's powerful strike after only 10 minutes at the King Power Stadium.

Given their strong start to the season, Leicester could have been forgiven for going toe-to-toe with City. They matched City's front three player for player at the back, but the visitors dominated the first half.

Leicester goalkeeper Janina Leitzig will be disappointed that Kelly's shot went under her body and into the net, but she was once again outstanding for Willie Kirk's team.

The German did well to block with her legs as Kelly burst through.

Filippa Angeldahl and Jill Roord, City's midfield duo, were a constant threat running into acres of space behind the Leicester defense.

The impressive Khadija Shaw, on the other hand, was the focal point of all City attacks.

The strength and speed of the Jamaica international proved too much for the Leicester back line of Sophie Howard, CJ Bott, and Julie Thibaud.

However, City were unable to double their lead, and after Leicester had weathered the opening 25 minutes, they, too, began to find holes in their opponents' defense.

Lena Petermann should have done better from eight yards out to beat City goalkeeper Khiara Keating.

And Sam Tierney must have thought she had equalized from inside the six-yard box, only for Alanna Kennedy to block her goal-bound effort seven minutes before the break.

While the first half was wide open, the early stages of the second were scrappy.

On the hour mark, the introduction of England forward Lauren Hemp gave City a new lease on life, and from her well-struck shot, fellow substitute Jess Park should have scored the rebound but volleyed wide.

Leicester, who looked more solid with Thibaud in midfield and Courtney Nevin in defense, pushed for an equalizer but couldn't create a clear-cut opportunity to fully test Keating, who was called into the senior England squad for the first time this week.

Tierney and Jutta Rantala both had long-range efforts saved by Keating, and Tierney may have chosen to go for goal again rather than try to find Petermann in a crowded penalty area.

Leicester's unbeaten start to the season came to an end as City used their experience to keep possession in the closing stages.

SportsLigue