Reading gained a vital point in the Women’s Super League on Sunday with an impressive 1-1 draw with Manchester City.

An early goal from Amalie Eikeland was cancelled out by a second half strike from World Cup winner Sam Mewis at the Madejski.

The Royals, who sat one point behind City at the start of play, began the game the faster of the two sides with Lauren Bruton forcing an early save from England Lioness Ellie Roebuck. The resuling corner was whipped in by Brooke Chaplen and Eikeland headed home to give Reading the lead after three minutes.

Manchester City brought a squad of 20 players to Berkshire of which 19 have received senior international call-ups over their careers. 11 of their side are in next week’s England squad while two are World Cup winning Americans.

It was to be a defensive approach for Kelly Chambers’ side after taking the early lead and a game plan they executed with brilliance. City went close on 15 minutes when Georgia Stanway saw her effort blocked on the line by Natasha Harding after a series of heroic saves from Grace Moloney.

The Reading goalkeeper was at her best as the visitors turned in 26 shots with nine on target compared to the Royals three with two on target. Chloe Kelly was forced into taking aim from range with both Rose Lavelle and Alex Greenwood struggling in unfamiliar positions for the FA Cup finalists.  

It took 56 minutes for last season’s WSL runners up to equalise when Mewis finished off a powerful run. City looked to turn the game around in the final half hour, but the Reading defence stayed strong.

Chambers described the performance as showing ‘our true colours today, especially defensively’ as the Royals gained their seventh point from five games in the WSL, one that could prove to be vital later in the campaign.

There is now an international break for the Royals with ten of the first team set up heading to represent their countries before returning for a Continental Cup tie at West Ham on November 4th.

Reading: Moloney, Harding ©, Bartrip, Cooper, Mitchell, James, Fishlock, Carter (Rowe 60), Eikeland, Bruton (Harries 76), Chaplen (Leine 82).

Bench (Unused): Nayler, Jeon, Woodham, Skeels, Childerhouse, Quirk.

Goals: Eikeland 3.