There was no shortage of big names on show when Manchester City hosted Arsenal in a bumper Women’s Super League clash in early October. A quick look through the teams and most would’ve been drawn to the likes of Chloe Kelly, Khadija Shaw, Alessia Russo, Vivianne Miedema and Mariona Caldentey, especially if they were picking out a potential match-winner. In the end, though, it was a rising teenage star who took up that role, one by the name of Iman Beney.With two minutes of the 90 remaining, the 19-year-old nipped in to steal the ball from Lotte Wubben-Moy before arrowing it beyond Daphne van Domselaar, giving Man City their third lead of a thrilling afternoon, one they would ultimately hang onto to secure a huge three points against a title rival.It was a big game and a big stage for the teenager to announce herself on, following a summer move to the league widely regarded as the best in the women’s game. In that sense, it was also in keeping with Beney’s year, one highlighted by her starring role in Switzerland’s historic home European Championships.
