Lauren Hemp scored the winner as champions Manchester City battled to a 2-1 Women’s Super League victory at London City Lionesses.

Hemp struck in the 74th minute, moments after Jana Fernandez had cancelled out Khadija Shaw ’s opener for City.

But it could have been a different story had the wasteful Lionesses not passed up a host of goalscoring chances.

Alexia Putellas’ Ballon d’Or trophy was on display in the unlikely surroundings of Bromley’s Hayes Lane ground and the Lionesses midfielder was in the thick of the action.

She teed up fellow Spaniard Fernandez for an early shot which drifted just wide.

There was a surprise appearance in the Lionesses goal for former England keeper Mary Earps , 897 days after her last start in the WSL .

Mary Earps returned to WSL action and helped hold the champions at bay (Getty)

The 33-year-old, who joined from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, justified her selection with a spectacular save from Rebecca Knaak.

Earps was at full stretch as she pushed Knaak’s bullet…