A moment of Mary Fowler genius was critical in bringing Chelsea's incredible 31-game winning streak to an end, with the Aussie superstar's ability to shake a defender before delivering a pinpoint cross (watch the video above) setting up the opener as Manchester City clinched the home leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie 2-0.
Chelsea were left to sit with the unfamiliar feeling of defeat as City took a significant step towards progression to the final four of the prestigious tournament.
The highly-anticipated return of Sam Kerr was not to be for Chelsea as the team succumbed to a domestic rival for the first time under manager Sonia Bompastor's tenure, which began in May 2024.
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Having been denied the opportunity to lift the women's League Cup final trophy on Sunday (AEDT) by Chelsea, City were searching for an way to find instant revenge.
Vivianne Miedema proved to be the difference for the home side after a goalless first half, with the Dutch forward breaking the stalemate in the 60th minute.
Fowler paved the path to the goal, brushing off a defensive challenge from Chelsea's Sjoeke Nüsken to find Laia Aleixandri in front of the goal.
Aleixandri's attempt to head the ball into the net was parried onto the crossbar by the Chelsea goalkeeper, but the ball fell perfectly for Miedema who finished the job.
Vivianne Miedema of Manchester City celebrates with team mates after scoring her team's second goal.
Vivianne Miedema of Manchester City celebrates with team mates after scoring her team's second goal. UEFA via Getty Images
Fowler was substituted off shortly afterwards, making way for Laura Coombs.
The visitors came close to levelling the scores through Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, who struck the crossbar before the ball was collected by Ayaka Yamashita.
But it was Miedema who returned to seal her team's fate seconds before the final whistle as a pin-point cross from the edge found her boot inside the box to score.
"I don't think we were good enough," England and Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze said post-match.
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"We didn't have enough effort in our press. We were really sloppy on our passing.
"We were miles off our game, Sonia [Bompastor] said that at half time. It improved a little bit in the second half, but that's when they got their goals.
"That's what football is - you have ups and downs. Everyone ups their game when they play Chelsea now because they want to be the first team to beat us, and that's what happened today.
"We have had a fantastic first half of the season... We just have to go back and be better for the weekend."
Millie Bright of Chelsea looks dejected after the UEFA Women's Champions League Quarter Finals First Leg match against Manchester City.
Millie Bright of Chelsea looks dejected after the UEFA Women's Champions League Quarter Finals First Leg match against Manchester City. Getty
Despite recording her first defeat, Bompastor admitted she was not rattled by the result.
"We said our ambitions at the beginning of the season and we won't change that," she said.
"Our ambitions are still there. That is the first time we have been beaten, so that is not a drama.
"Going unbeaten is a nice thing but it's not a trophy so we don't care about that. I want us to win the right games - the important ones - and win as many trophies as we can."
The clash was the second of four consecutive matches between the two teams.
Their next meeting will be hosted by City again for the WSL on Monday before they face off for the second leg of the Champions League at Stamford Bridge on Friday, March 28.