Half-time: Man City Ladies 2 Chelsea Ladies 0

Chelsea Ladies are still on course to win the Women’s Super League title despite trailing to Manchester City Ladies at half-time.

But first-half goals by Jill Scott and Toni Duggan mean that Emma Hayes’ side could need other results to continue to go their way.

A Chelsea win will guarantee a first major trophy in the team’s 22-year history.

However, Birmingham, who are losing to Notts County, and Liverpool, who are drawing with Bristol Academy, can both take the title if they win. A Liverpool goal early in the second half would therefore put them in pole position.

Chelsea’s prospects suffered a huge blow inside 10 minutes when goalkeeper Marie Hourihan had to be taken off when she damaged her shoulder after colliding with Georgia Brougham and falling awkwardly.

Hourihan’s replacement, debutant Claire Farrow, was almost beaten by Natasha Flint within a couple of minutes when she hesitated as she came off her line, but the lobbed effort went just wide.

Chelsea almost led when Rachel Williams had a header cleared off the line by Abbie McManus after great work by Eni Aluko on the left wing.

But it was the hosts who went ahead, Farrow making a mess of an awkward bouncing shot by Scott.

The visitors started to look shaky and Duggan’s stunning strike after a fine team move made it 2-0.

Chelsea began to find their rhythm towards the end of the first half, but could not reduce the deficit going into the break.

If Chelsea are pipped to the title, second spot would earn them a place in the Champions League for the first time.

Chelsea 4-2-3-1: Hoirihan (Farrow); Blundell, Bassett, Flaherty, Borges; Spence (Groenen), Chapman; Williams, Ji, Aluko; Ogimi.
Subs: Buet, Wilhelmsson, Rafferty, Coombs, Meiwald.

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