WSL leaders Manchester City survived losing goalkeeper Karen Bardsley through injury to hold on for a goalless draw at second-placed Chelsea.
England international Bardsley was sent to hospital for X-rays on her left shoulder after falling awkwardly just two minutes into the game.
Her replacement, Ellie Roebuck, ensured a clean sheet with a fine second-half save at close range from Drew Spence.
Fran Kirby also went close for Chelsea, who stay two points behind City.
New England head coach Phil Neville was among the Kingsmeadow crowd for the meeting of the division’s top two.
As well as seeing Bardsley leave the field on a stretcher, he may have been concerned by an apparent Achilles injury to Manchester City and England captain Steph Houghton, who limped off.
But 18-year-old Roebuck put in a fine performance in her unexpected appearance off the bench.
Just a week after signing her first professional contract at the club, she was alert to gather Chelsea striker Ramona Bachmann’s shot to her left inside the first half.
But her best save came after the break as she denied Spence with her outstretched right foot.
The draw ends City’s 100% start to the season after 17 games in all competitions, while Chelsea’s unbeaten league run stretches to eight matches.
Live Text
Match ends, Chelsea Ladies 0, Manchester City Women 0.
Second Half ends, Chelsea Ladies 0, Manchester City Women 0.
Ji So-Yun (Chelsea Ladies) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Nikita Parris (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Ji So-Yun (Chelsea Ladies).
Substitution, Chelsea Ladies. Erin Cuthbert replaces Ramona Bachmann.
Drew Spence (Chelsea Ladies) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Isobel Christiansen (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Drew Spence (Chelsea Ladies).
Attempt blocked. Jill Scott (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Nadia Nadim with a headed pass.
Corner, Manchester City Women. Conceded by Millie Bright.
Attempt saved. Francesca Kirby (Chelsea Ladies) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Crystal Dunn.
Foul by Abbie McManus (Manchester City Women).
Crystal Dunn (Chelsea Ladies) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Attempt missed. Nadia Nadim (Manchester City Women) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Nikita Parris with a cross.
Attempt blocked. Nadia Nadim (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Attempt blocked. Nadia Nadim (Manchester City Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Claire Emslie with a cross.
Jill Scott (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Ji So-Yun (Chelsea Ladies).
Substitution, Manchester City Women. Claire Emslie replaces Melissa Lawley.
Attempt blocked. Ji So-Yun (Chelsea Ladies) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Francesca Kirby.
Corner, Chelsea Ladies. Conceded by Jill Scott.
Attempt blocked. Ramona Bachmann (Chelsea Ladies) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ji So-Yun.
Foul by Melissa Lawley (Manchester City Women).
Ramona Bachmann (Chelsea Ladies) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City Women) because of an injury.
Attempt saved. Drew Spence (Chelsea Ladies) header from very close range is saved in the centre of the goal.
Corner, Chelsea Ladies. Conceded by Jill Scott.
Attempt blocked. Crystal Dunn (Chelsea Ladies) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Substitution, Manchester City Women. Mie Jans replaces Stephanie Houghton because of an injury.
Corner, Chelsea Ladies. Conceded by Melissa Lawley.
Attempt blocked. Francesca Kirby (Chelsea Ladies) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Attempt saved. Drew Spence (Chelsea Ladies) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ramona Bachmann.
Attempt missed. Magdalena Eriksson (Chelsea Ladies) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Ji So-Yun following a corner.
Corner, Chelsea Ladies. Conceded by Keira Walsh.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match Stephanie Houghton (Manchester City Women) because of an injury.
Offside, Manchester City Women. Stephanie Houghton tries a through ball, but Nikita Parris is caught offside.
Offside, Chelsea Ladies. Ji So-Yun tries a through ball, but Ramona Bachmann is caught offside.
