Georgia Stanway’s hopes of winning the Women’s Super League with Manchester City this season suffered a blow, as her side were defeated 2-1 at fellow contenders Chelsea yesterday.

City had taken the lead at Kingsmeadow through Caroline Weir’s volley, but Chelsea came storming back with two goals in the space of three minutes in the closing stages to turn the match on its and leapfrog City in the table.

Barrovian Stanway was on the bench for the third game in a row for Nick Cushing’s men and she played the final quarter of the contest after coming on for Tessa Wullaert.

Chelsea had the game’s first real chance when Beth England was played in by Norway international Guro Reiten, but City goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck made an excellent save with her feet to deny her.

England then got in behind the defence off Erin Cuthbert’s long throw and Roebuck again stood strong as she beat away the striker’s effort before Maren Mjelde’s long-ranger from the resulting corner smacked against the bar.

The hosts hit the woodwork again in the early stages of the second half when Ji So-yun’s shot from the edge of the area came off the post, with Roebuck rooted to the spot.

Having absorbed the pressure, City took the lead after 59 minutes when Keira Walsh’s cross towards the back post was cushioned in on the volley by Weir.

Roebuck came to the visitors’ rescue again when she pushed away Ramona Bachmann’s curler, but she was unable to prevent England from finally equalising in the 79th minutes when she headed in after Roebuck had pushed out Ji’s strike.

Chelsea then hit the front two minutes later when England drove the ball across goal and Mjelde was on hand to stab in from close range.