Manchester City striker Jane Ross deflected in captain Steph Houghton's free-kick to put the FA Women's Super League 1 leaders a step closer to winning their first league title, with a narrow 1-0 win at Arsenal Ladies.
Midfielder Jordan Nobbs was unlucky not to give the hosts the lead when her volley in the box was tipped over by goalkeeper Karen Bardsley.
Defeat for Arsenal now means they face a tougher task in beating Chelsea to the second Champions League place with three games left to play this season, while City are one win away from the title.
City were quick off the mark inside five minutes when Nikita Parris tested goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal.
Arsenal were very close to giving themselves the lead on 35 minutes when Nobbs responded quickly to a deflective cross with a brilliant volley that forced Bardsley into action.
City took the lead in the 51st minute when Houghton's free-kick deflected off Ross and beat Van Veenendaal.
City nearly doubled their advantage when a well-crafted counter-attack saw Isobel Christiansen's early cross met by Ross, but she was denied by a last-ditch challenge from Casey Stoney.
Arsenal's final chance of the game came to Marta Corredera when her volleyed attempt from a corner was blocked as City's defence held on.
Manchester City manager Nick Cushing knows his team are still one win away but admitted there was huge satisfaction in inching a step closer to FA Women's Super League 1 glory with victory at Arsenal.
"The trophy's not in the dressing room just yet so let's not get ahead of ourselves. But it was a great performance from us," Cushing said.
"I think we've put the work in now and we will continue to put the work because the season's not over yet but we will continue to work."
Manchester City, who have played a game more than Chelsea, can wrap up the title if they avoid defeat at home to the Blues when they meet in a fortnight's time.
Meanwhile, Chelsea still lie second in the table after they kept their title hopes alive after a comfortable 3-0 win against Reading at Adams Park.
In a goalless first half, Chelsea shaded the chances with Karen Carney stooping low to head wide from Hannah Blundell's cross before turning provider as her free-kick was met by Katie Chapman, who headed over the bar.
After half-time it was Chelsea who took the lead less than 10 minutes after the restart as Eni Aluko was barged off the ball and from the resulting Carney free-kick, Chapman's glancing header drifted into the far corner of the goal.
Chelsea put the game to bed in the first minute of injury-time with a late effort from Gemma Davison and Ana Borges added a third for the impressive visitors, who remain seven points behind Manchester City with a game in hand.
EmoticonEmoticon