WSL: Manchester City march to summit as Toni Duggan and Jane Ross strikes beat Arsenal

Fara Williams hit the bar with an early-free kick for Arsenal before Rose was dismissed for taking down a breaking Ross

Toni Duggan scores City’s second from the penalty spot (Getty)

Manchester City cruised past 10-woman Arsenal Ladies in a 2-0 win to maintain their winning start in the Women’s Super League.

Scotland international Jane Ross opened the scoring – her first goal for City – after the break before Toni Duggan’s penalty sealed the victory as City moved top of the early table after victory in their opening two games. The Gunners had Jemma Rose sent off after just 13 minutes for a foul on Ross.

“I’m buzzing,” Duggan said afterwards. “That’s two great wins on the bounce for us now, and it’s a great way to top off our Easter weekend.

“Sari van Veenendaal is a great keeper – she pulled one out of the air from Koso Asllani earlier on – and I’d missed my last pen.

“I was coming up against a top keeper and I’m not going to lie, I was a bit nervous, but I knew I had to score for the team and that’s what I did.”

Fara Williams hit the bar with an early-free kick for Arsenal before Rose was dismissed for taking down a breaking Ross and Duggan almost grabbed the opener just before the break when her low effort struck the post.

After the restart, Van Veenendaal denied Nikita Parris as City tried to break the deadlock which they managed when Rose met Duggan’s cross to head home after 65 minutes.

“For the first goal, I just hurried the defender,” Duggan added. “Sometimes you have to put pressure on them and that’s what I’ve done. It was a great header by Jane who was great today.

“For any spectator, for our coaches, for their coaches, for everyone in the league, they know we’re dominating these games.”

City doubled their lead with 12 minutes left when Duggan scored from the spot after Dominique Janssen tripped Parris in the area.

Elsewhere, Liverpool Ladies’ trip to Chelsea was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.