Arsenal 0-1 Man City: Player ratings as Aleixandri goal sees City through to FA Cup quarter-final

FROM MEADOW PARK - Manchester City knocked title rivals Arsenal out of the Adobe Women's FA Cup thanks to a 1-0 victory at Meadow Park.

Manchester City's Laia Aleixandri converted Chloe Kelly's free-kick in the 75th minute to claim the win over the Gunners.

Arsenal were knocked out of the cup in the same round last season, losing 2-0 to Chelsea during the 2022/23 iteration of the competition.

Eidevall opted for two changes to the side that fell disappointingly to West Ham in the league, swapping Lia Walti for Kyra Cooney-Cross and changing goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger for Sabrina D'Angelo. However these changes failed to make a difference, seeing the Gunners fall to a second consecutive defeat.

Manchester City will discover their opponent on Monday 12 January, with the draw taking place during the One Show.

How the game unfolded

It was a stale first half with little conviction from both sides. The passing accuracy was amiss for both hosts and visitors and shots were few and far between - Man City had four; Arsenal only one.

Man City were aggrieved to not to have been awarded a penalty after Lotte Wubben-Moy made an industrial challenge on Bunny Shaw, elbowing the striker in the box and bringing her down. There was little clamour from the visitors however, and referee Stacey Pearson did not pick up on the challenge.

Entering half-time locked level, a flurry for corners for the Gunners failed to produce any magic. At the other end, a set piece almost awarded City the opener but an impressive goal line clearance from Leah Williamson - making her second start since returning from an ACL injury - foiled the visitors.

The deadlock was eventually broken in the 74th minute as Aleixandri poked home Chloe Kelly's swinging free kick. It was poor defending from Arsenal but a clinical finish from the centre-half to secure the lead.

With time running out, Arsenal engineered several progressive attacks but ultimately couldn't find a breakthrough, thanks in large part to an impressive showing from Khiara Keating.

Arsenal player ratings (4-2-3-1)

GK: Sabrina D'Angelo - 7/10 - Did well to anticipate and claim crosses but was let down by sporadic defending leading to the goal.

RB: Emily Fox - 6/10 - Got a bit lost in the chaos of the first half but grew into the game well in the second.

CB: Leah Williamson - 8/10 - Impressive after such a long period on the sidelines.

CB: Lotte Wubben-Moy - 5/10 - Was lucky to get away an elbow on Shaw.

LB: Katie McCabe - 7/10 - Worked hard up and down the left flank until his substitution.

CM: Kyra Cooney-Cross - 7/10 - Her pace produced counter attacks and she used the ball incredibly well throughout.

CM: Victoria Pelova - 7/10- Won and retained possession with ease, keeping control in the engine room.

CAM: Frida Maanum - 6/10 - Played in behind Russo, but largely struggled to make an impact on the game.

RW: Beth Mead - 7/10 - Was rarely on the ball in the first half but grew into the game as it progressed.

LW: Caitlin Foord - 6/10 - Did well to pressure the defence but lacked poise in front of goal.

ST: Alessia Russo - 6/10 - Made some dangerous runs but was unable to capitalise on any of the chances presented to her.

Substitutes

SUB: Steph Catley (65 ' for McCabe) - 5/10

SUB: Stina Blackstenius (65 ' for Russo ) - 6/10

SUB: Laia Codina (75 ' for Williamson) - 7/10

SUB: Lia Walti (75 ' for Cooney-Cross) - 7/10

SUB: Kim Little (82 ' for Maanum) - N/A

Unused subs: Zinsberger (GK), Williams (GK), Lacasse.

Manager

Jonas Eidevall - 6/10 - A second consecutive defeat for his side, who once again struggled to create chances in the final third.

Man City player ratings (4-2-3-1)

GK: Khiara Keating - 7/10 - Did well to keep a clean sheet once again.

RB: Kerstin Casparij - 8/10 - Impressive in attack and defence throughout.

CB: Alex Greenwood - 7/10 - As strong as ever at the back to prevent Mead from making much of an impact on the game.

CB: Laia Aleixandri - 7/10 - Her clinical finish won the game for City.

LB: Leila Ouahabi - 6/10 - Struggled defensively at times but made up for it at the other end of the park.

CM: Laura Coombs - 6/10 - Struggled to keep up with a phycially demanding midfield battle.

CM: Yui Hasegawa - 8/10 - Provided real steel in the middle of the park for City.

CAM: Jess Park - 7/10 - Provided a good out-ball for City.

RW: Lauren Hemp - 7/10 - Pace was key but lacked clinical finishing in front of goal.

LW: Chloe Kelly - 7/10 - Was unable to convert her chances but her set piece deliveries were good throughout.

ST: Bunny Shaw - 6/10 - Was unusually passive and her decision making was poor.

Substitutes

SUB: Mary Fowler (66' for Shaw ) - 6/10.

SUB: Filippa Angeldahl (85' for Park) - N/A

SUB: Alanna Kennedy (90 + 3' for Hasegawa) - N/A

Unused subs: MacIver (GK), Stokes, Morgan, Mace.

Manager

Gareth Taylor - 8/10 - Taylor has made City extremely hard to break down in recent weeks.

Player of the Match: Yui Hasegawa (Man City)

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