Georgia Stanway played from the unusual position of right-back as Manchester City defeated Arsenal 2-1 to move to the top of the FA Women’s Super League.

The match was the last in charge for City manager Nick Cushing, who is moving across the Atlantic to take up his role as assistant at New York City FC after six years in charge.

He went out on a real high as goals from Pauline Bremer and Lauren Hemp gave the hosts a deserved win that knocked the Gunners off their perch and put them one point clear of Chelsea, who ran out 8-0 winners against West Ham.

Stanway got forward from defence for an early chance from Caroline Weir's low ball into the box, but she couldn't connect cleanly and her effort went off target.

City huffed and puffed during the first half but they broke the deadlock after 43 minutes when Bremer pounced from close range after Arsenal couldn't clear Weir's free kick.

The hosts picked up where they left off in the second half, as they doubled their lead four minutes after the restart when Keira Walsh's cross was headed in at the back post, off the underside of the bar, by an unmarked Hemp.

Defending champions Arsenal weren't finished, however, and were back in game when Danielle van de Donk poked in the rebound after Ellie Roebuck had done brilliantly to deny Jordan Nobbs.

The Gunners pushed for an equaliser and it required heroics from Roebuck, saving from Vivienne Miedema, to ensure City picked up a vital win.

Cushing said: "It's been an incredible six years, the best six years of my career.

"2014 was a special year. Our first year. It built the foundation. Winning a trophy. It was the catalyst for the addition of winning that we have here at Manchester City.

"Any time wouldn't have been the right time to leave, but it's on to the next chapter."