Georgia Stanway was again used off the bench as Manchester City moved level on points at the top of the Women's Super League after a narrow 1-0 win against bottom side Liverpool yesterday.

Gemma Bonner's header proved to be the difference at the Academy Stadium, as City picked up their seventh win in eight league games this season.

They are being kept off the top spot by champions Arsenal, who gave their goal difference a significant boost, thanks to their record-breaking 11-1 thrashing of Bristol City earlier in the day.

The home side went ahead in the 20th minute when centre-back Bonner found the net with a free header from Caroline Weir's free kick that found the bottom corner.

City controlled the first half, but struggled to create many clear-cut chances, with Steph Houghton over-hitting a pass meant for Ellen White, with the ball rolling through harmlessly to Liverpool goalkeeper Anke Preuss.

Barrovian Stanway was introduced for White with half an hour to go, but the visitors grew in confidence during the closing stages of the game, with Jade Bailey's long-range effort having to be tipped over by Ellie Roebuck.

The City goalkeeper then produced an even better stop by instinctively keeping out Niamh Fahey's header, as what had been a quiet contest finally began to open up.

The hosts had chances to make the game safe, with Stanway firing over despite having time on her side to pick her place before Janine Beckie couldn't quite connect properly with Lauren Hemp's deep cross.

Liverpool kept pressing until the final whistle and twice came close to a late equaliser from corners, with Kirsty Linnett and Bailey both sending headers off target, as City just held on.