Manchester City beat Bristol City 4-0 to make it an impressive 14 league wins on the bounce and extend their lead at the top of the WSL table.
With Chelsea out of action this weekend due to their involvement in the Champions League, Gareth Taylor’s side had the opportunity to put some breathing space between themselves and the London club at the top of the table. Chelsea will now have to win both their games in hand against Liverpool and Tottenham to put themselves back on the same points tally as their title rivals.
Bristol City’s race is unfortunately run and the 3-0 defeat at the hands of the title chasers confirms their relegation back to the Championship. Lauren Smith’s side were only promoted last season, but the gulf in class has been apparent this term as they go down with two games to spare.
How the game unfolded
It was one way traffic for much of the first-half, but Manchester City failed to make their dominance count. The opening 45 minutes saw the visitors control possession with 75% and they had a staggering 16 shots to Bristol City’s two.
In the absence of Khadija Shaw, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a foot injury, Taylor was relying on Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly and Mary Fowler to step up with goals. All three, as well as Jess Park, had opportunities to put Manchester City ahead but most efforts had little power behind them and were comfortable enough saves for Bristol City goalkeeper Shae Yanez.
The hosts had moments of their own. A dangerous cross into the box was destined to meet Amalie Thestrup but some brave goalkeeping from Khiara Keating kept things level. Amy Rodgers also nearly capitalised on some loose possession from Alanna Kennedy but the visitors just about managed to clear the danger.
A lack of cutting edge was something the manager needed to fix for Manchester City heading into the second-half. A slight tactical tweak at the break saw Hemp move central and Kelly out wide.
They needed something special to break the deadlock and Fowler stepped up with a long range strike from the edge of the box on the hour mark. Her ferocious effort gave the goalkeeper no chance and the tension instantly eased for Manchester City.
Fowler stepped up with a second 10 minutes later as she got the final touch on a Hemp cross. An own-goal from Rodgers then put the win far beyond any doubt.
As goal difference could be the deciding factor in the title race this season, Manchester City continued their hunt for a fourth. They duly delivered as Alex Greenwood had a free header from a corner right at the death and it just about crossed the line.
GK: Khiara Keating – 7/10 – Some brave goalkeeping in the first half to get a hand to a dangerous cross destined for Thestrup. Had next to nothing to do second-half, but did look comfortable in possession.
RB: Laia Aleixandri – 7/10 – Did a solid job in two positions as she moved central following the half-time substitution that saw Kennedy taken off.
CB: Alanna Kennedy – 6/10 – Nearly gifted the hosts an opening in the first-half and was lucky not to concede a foul as Bristol City looked to capitalise. Substituted at half-time.
CB: Alex Greenwood – 7/10 – Some pretty slack passing at times but did enough defensively to minimise Bristol City’s threat on the rare occasions they did get forward. Ensured her teammates remained calm when things weren’t going their way. Scored the fourth late on right at the death.
LB: Leila Ouahabi – 7/10 – Could’ve had a couple of assists if finishing was better first half. Looked a threat down the left for most of the game as the visitors controlled possession throughout.
DM: Yui Hasegawa – 7/10 – Looked the most comfortable in possession for Manchester City and, as usual, dictated the tempo.
CM: Jess Park – 7/10 – A fantastic driving run just before half-time to get past multiple Bristol City defender but her eventual shot was tame and was comfortably saved by goalkeeper Yanez. Forced off the ball a little too easy on occasion, but made things happen for her side against a resilient Bristol City defence.
CM: Laura Coombs – 6/10 – Too many touches in the box to squander a huge chance early in the second-half. Kept things ticking over in midfield but wasn’t a standout on the night.
RW: Mary Fowler – 8/10 – Found plenty of space down the right and caused Bristol City problems with some dangerous cut-backs into the box aimed at Chloe Kelly. Outrageous effort on the hour mark to finally put her side in front and then put the win beyond doubt with a second. Showed so much maturity to step up when it mattered most.
LW: Lauren Hemp – 7/10 – Had the first real opportunity of the game but couldn’t hit the target. Usually so clinical, it was a disappointing evening in front of goal, but she did get the assist for Fowler’s second.
ST: Chloe Kelly – 7/10 – A quiet night in front of goal having stepped into the side in place of Shaw. Looked a lot more threatening when she was moved out wide second-half an dmade things happen.
Substitutes
SUB: Kerstin Casparij (HT’ for Alanna Kennedy) – 7/10
SUB: Laura Blindkilde (72’ for Laura Coombs) – 7/10
Subs not used: Steph Houghton, Esme Morgan, Filippa Angeldal, Poppy Pritchard, Laura Blindkilde, Ruby Mace, Katie Startup,
Manager
Gareth Taylor – 7/10 – Adapted well during the game to switch the forwards around and give Bristol City more to think about. Substitutions also paid off in the second-half as the win was comfortably secured in the end.
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