Birmingham City push London City Lionesses off the top

Ivana Fuso and Charlene Meyong battle it out. Photo: Birmingham City Women

By Emma Nicholls (10/11/24)

London City Lionesses 1-2 Birmingham City Women

London City Lionesses:

Starting XI-

Mukandi, Brougham, Goldie, Mengyu, Asllani (C), Meyong , Jakobsson, Brown, Imuran, Orman, Boye-Hlorkah

Substitutes-

Moloney, Neville, Campbell, Scofield, Marashi, Ivanovic, Fitzgerald, Goodwin, Littlejohn

Birmingham City:

Starting XI-

Thomas, Lawley, Harrison- Murray ( C ), Agg, Fuso, Holloway, Magill, Mcgowan, Cho, Mckenna, Herron

Substitutes-

Szperkowsa, Harris, Mason, Wilson, Worsey, Baker, Day, Powis

Referee- Sophie Dennington

Goalscorers:

Gemma Lawley (25')

Neve Herron (45'+6)

Georgia Brougham (86')

London City Lionesses hosted Birmingham City in a top of the table clash at Hayes Lane. With the teams previously sharing points, this crucial game determined who led the Championship league table.

The home side made one change from their previous outing with Isobel Goodwin moving to the bench. Birmingham City also remained almost unchanged and dominated almost instantly from the first whistle, with gaining possession and applying pressure early on. 

Ivana Fuso was provided with the first opportunity of the game but failed to find a gap to take a shot although the visitors were awarded with a throw in soon after. A corner followed almost immediately which was taken by captain Harrison- Murray. 

An early mistake from Emily Orman, during the third minute, nearly allowed the visitors to take an early lead. However, but experienced Scotland international Emma Mukandi was quick to clear the danger and managed to get the ball away to safety.

Bimingham city took the well earned lead with a goal scored by Gemma Lawley in the 25th minute as the ball deflected off the crossbar. Brown, a young and talented midfielder who is on loan from Chelsea, made some good runs with the ball and is proving exactly why she deserves more game time.

The third corner of the game for the visitors caused chaos in the box with Orman managing to punch it out to Charlene Meyong, who then kicked it away from the danger zone. However, the corner also caused drama as Lily Agg was elbowed by Mukandi causing her nose to bleed. No cards were given at this time but both teams had to step in to separate the two experienced players.

Asllani received the first yellow card of the game for a shirt tug. Shortly after, another altercation on the pitch caused Agg and Goldie to both receive yellow cards.

Herron scored a header from a free kick in the 45+6th minute which was assisted by Holloway to give the visitors a comfortable lead. Both teams are two very physical sides and it is clear that both teams were hungry to get the three points and secure their position at the top of the table.

At half time, Birmingham city had a 2-0 lead

The second half started with Birmingham dominating the pitch once again.

Substitutes came on just after half time for the home side. London City won their first corner of the game but Goodwin's header from the set piece flew just over the cross-bar. 

Despite their efforts to attack, London City struggled to break through Birmingham's solid defence. A crucial block from Lawley gave the visitors possession of the ball once again.

The home side made their second change with Boye-Hlorkah leaving the field and Ivanovic taking her place during the 59th minute. Goodwin's run forward with the ball, led to a shot on target but Birmingham's goalkeeper Thomas makes a well timed save.

The game continued to be very physical with both sides making late challenges. Mckena received a yellow card which closely followed by Mcgowan also receiving a yellow card a minute later.

London City Lionesses made further substitutions with Meyong coming off and Ruesha Littlejohn coming on, for her first minutes of the season after recovering from her achilles injury.

Goldie cleared the ball off the line which prevented Birmingham from getting their third goal. The visitors made their first sub late on with Worsey replacing Cho So- Hyan. Finally, Brougham pulled one back during the 86th minute making the score 2-1 giving the home side a glimmer of hope.

Birmingham City took the win and secured the top place on the table after a hard fought game from both sides. It is clear that Birmingham were the better team today but London City Lionesses put up a fight throughout the whole game, aiming to prove that they deserve that spot in the WSL next season.