Defending champions Chelsea scored deep into stoppage time to draw with Manchester City in the Women’s Super League after two costly dismissals for the home side.

It was a dramatic afternoon in Manchester in which Greenwood’s first-half sending off changed the course of a match that City had dominated at Joie Stadium.

City captain Greenwood was shown a second yellow card for time-wasting in the 38th minute, before Hemp also received a second booking when she brought down Lauren James after 81 minutes.

The decision from referee Emily Heaslip to send off Greenwood was booed heavily by home supporters and led to three yellow cards being shown for dissent to City team-mates Kelly, Laia Aleixandri and Jill Roord.

Hemp’s red card led to further reaction in the stands and manager Gareth Taylor was cautioned for dissent.

City played with a sense of injustice throughout the second half and their tenacity almost paid off after Kelly’s thumping strike from the edge of the box early on had given them a narrow lead.

But Chelsea, boosted by the return of striker Sam Kerr off the bench, were given a lifeline after a poor opening 45 minutes and tested goalkeeper Khiara Keating more and more as the match wore on.

James struck the crossbar before Reiten’s scrambled equaliser silenced a vociferous home crowd, then Kerr headed an effort off the outside of the post as Chelsea almost won it with seconds to go.

But City held on to maintain their impressive 20-game unbeaten run at home in the WSL, while Chelsea at least came away with something from a ground they have struggled at in recent seasons.

More to follow.