Olivia Smith Strike Ends City Winning Run at Emirates

Olivia Smith’s first-half goal over Manchester City secures a crucial Women Super League win for Arsenal, propelling them into top-three contention.

Arsenal Women claimed a significant 1–0 win over Manchester City in the Barclays Women’s Super League on Sunday, February 8, 2026, as Olivia Smith’s first-half goal ended City’s 13-game winning streak and lifted the Gunners into third place in the table.

In front of a crowd of 39,155 at the Emirates Stadium, Renée Slegers’ side produced a disciplined and composed performance to record a third consecutive victory in all competitions, strengthening their push for European qualification and keeping the title race mathematically alive.

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City remain top of the standings with a healthy lead, but the result marked one of their rare setbacks in an otherwise dominant campaign.

Arsenal began the match with intensity, pressing high and disrupting Manchester City’s usual control in possession.

The breakthrough came in the 16th minute, when Mariona Caldentey and Kim Little combined neatly in midfield before Caldentey released Olivia Smith through the centre. The forward used her strength to hold off Rebecca Knaak, rounded goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita, and calmly finished into an empty net.

It proved to be the decisive moment of the contest.

City responded with increased pressure, but Arsenal remained organised, with Daphne van Domselaar making routine saves and the defensive pairing of Lotte Wubben-Moy and Steph Catley limiting clear opportunities.

Arsenal defend lead with composure

The second half saw Manchester City dominate possession, pushing Arsenal deeper into their own half.

Khadija Shaw, Lauren Hemp, and Vivianne Miedema all threatened, but Arsenal’s defensive structure held firm. Van Domselaar dealt confidently with crosses and low efforts, while Katie McCabe and Kim Little provided key defensive interventions in midfield and wide areas.

A late City effort from Miedema was ruled out for a foul in the build-up, and Arsenal managed the closing stages calmly, seeing out the match through six minutes of added time.

Renée Slegers’ tactical approach proved effective, with Arsenal’s high press in the first half and compact defensive shape after the break limiting City’s attacking rhythm.

Smith’s central role caused problems throughout the match, while Caldentey and Little controlled transitions in midfield. Arsenal’s substitutions were used primarily to protect the lead rather than chase further goals, reflecting a controlled game management approach.

Table implications

The win moves Arsenal Women into third place, two points behind second-placed Manchester United with a game in hand, and strengthens their position in the race for European qualification.

For Manchester City, the defeat ends their long winning run but does not significantly damage their title position, with the league leaders still holding a substantial advantage at the top of the table.

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