A shock home defeat for Manchester City Ladies at the hands of Reading meant that the Blues cling to top spot in the league table, despite only managing a draw away to Arsenal.

Beth Mead equalised as Arsenal came back from a goal down.

Chelsea played some excellent football in the first half and took the lead through Fran Kirby before Mead’s leveller just before the interval.

“Obviously a draw is nicer than losing, but we’re Arsenal, we need to be getting into the top two now and we needed that win,” said Beth afterwards.

Fran said: “I think, overall, we dominated the game and that we kept possession better than they did. We’re disappointed not to get the win, but overall we didn’t lose, so that’s the main thing. We know that we’re going to create chances, whether it’s in the first half, second half, whenever, but we have to put them in the back of the net.

“It’s always a hard game against Arsenal – they have improved defensively into a good team, although we still caused them quite a few problems. I think they knew our threat when we were going forward and at one point I think they had all their players behind the ball, so I think they respected us a bit more than the first time they played us.”

Chelsea next face Manchester City at Kingsmeadow on Sunday April 15 at 3.30pm – a game televised on BBC 2.

“It’s going to be a tough game again against Manchester City but we’re happy to have got a home tie, which I think is going to be important,” said Fran of the next encounter.

“Hopefully we can get a big crowd down at Kingsmeadow for what we know is going to be a hard game, coming off the international break. There will be some tired legs again, but we have to keep pushing and keep going.

“When we have a big crowd, I think it’s really good for us because it pushes us on and drives us on and hopefully we can get a bit of revenge for the defeat in the Continental Tyres Cup and put a few goals past them.”

Manchester City missed out on the chance to top FA WSL 1 after falling to a surprise 2-0 defeat to mid-table Reading in front of attending England manager Phil Neville.

Remi Allen’s impressive bicycle kick opened the scoring for the Royals in the first-half before Kirsty Pearce doubled the lead midway through the second half.

Reading held on to gain their first ever victory over City despite Jo Potter being shown a late red card.

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