Chelsea's Guro Reiten broke Manchester City hearts in the Women's Super League on Sunday, her 96th-minute equaliser earning the Blues a point in a game that saw them struggle incredibly against a team reduced to nine players for the final 20 minutes. Chloe Kelly had given City an early lead with a wonderful strike, but Alex Greenwood's controversial red card before half-time changed the game and made the hosts sit back to defend their lead for the rest of the afternoon - with them so close to doing so successfully.
City started well and marked that bright opening spell with a goal when Kelly was given too much room on the edge of the box and fired a shot over the head of Chelsea goalkeeper Zecira Musovic and into the back of the net. Sophie Ingle could've levelled the scores in a rare, well-built attack from the away side shortly after, but teenager Khiara Keating came up with a big stop.
The game changed on 38 minutes. Greenwood was on a yellow card when referee Emily Heaslip adjudged her to be taking too long to take a free-kick and brandished a second booking and a red card. It baffled the home side, with two players booked for dissent in the aftermath.
Even when playing against 10 players, though, Chelsea struggled to create chances. Reiten's low cross was just missed by Mia Fishel before half-time, but it was opportunities for City, for Kelly and Bunny Shaw, that stood out more in the second period. That was even with the hosts going down to nine in the 81st minute, Lauren Hemp - booked for dissent earlier on - sent off after bringing down Lauren James.
Chelsea's inevitable breakthrough would come in the sixth added minute, with Reiten pouncing on a loose ball in the box and drilling it into the back of the net - City having to defend a corner with eight players as centre-back Alanna Kennedy waited to come back on the pitch after treatment. The home team would at least get a point for their valiant efforts, though, holding on for a 1-1 draw despite the clock ticking into a 103rd minute.
GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from the Joie Stadium...