Manchester City beat Bristol City 4-0 to make it 14 away league wins and extend their lead at the top of the WSL.
With Chelsea away this weekend due to participation in the Champions League, Gareth Taylor's side had the chance to put some breathing space between themselves and the London club at the top. Chelsea will now need to win both of their games against Liverpool and Tottenham to move back level on points with their title rivals.
Unfortunately, Bristol City's run is over and a 3-0 defeat at the hands of the title chasers confirms their return to the Championship. Lauren Smith's side were promoted last season, but the difference in class was evident as they were relegated with two games to go.
How the game happened
It was one way to fill the first half of the first half, but Manchester City failed to make their dominance count. The first 45 minutes saw the visitors control the game with 75% and they had 16 shots on two Bristol City.
In the absence of Khadija Shaw, who was expected to miss the rest of the season with a foot injury, Taylor relied on Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly and Mary Fowler to step up the scoring. All three, as well as Jess Park, had chances to put Manchester City ahead but most of the efforts had little power behind them and Bristol City goalkeeper Shae Yanez was comfortable enough to save.
The hosts had their moments. A dangerous cross into the box should have met Amalie Thestrup but another brave save by Khiara Keating kept things level. Amy Rodgers also almost capitalized on some money from Alanna Kennedy but the visitors almost managed to clear the danger.
The lack of play was something the manager needed to address for Manchester City heading into the second half. A slight tactical change at half-time saw Hemp move from the middle and Kelly to the outside.
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. His poor effort gave the keeper no chance and tension was instantly reduced in Manchester City.
Fowler went up for the second 10 minutes later as he got the finishing touch on Hemp's cross. An own goal by Rodgers then put the win beyond doubt.
With goal difference being the deciding factor in the title race this season, Manchester City continued to hunt for fourth. They deservedly delivered as Alex Greenwood headed a free in the corner at the death and it just crossed the line.
GK: Khiara Keating – 7/10 – Some brave goalkeepers in the first half to get a hand on a dangerous cross for Thestrup. There was nothing else I could do in the second half, but I looked comfortable holding on.
RB: Laia Aleixandri – 7/10 – He did a solid job in two positions as he moved into the middle following a half-time substitution with Kennedy out.
CB: Alanna Kennedy – 6/10 – He almost gave the hosts an opening in the first half and was lucky not to concede as Bristol City looked to capitalize. Changed at halftime.
CB: Alex Greenwood – 7/10 – Some poor passing at times but did enough defending to limit Bristol City's threat on rare occasions when they went forward. He ensured that his teammates remained calm when things did not go their way. He got the fourth one late right at the death.
LB: Leila Ouahabi – 7/10 – I could have had a few more assists if the finishing was better in the first half. It looked dangerous down the left for most of the game as the visitors dominated the game.
DM: Yui Hasegawa – 7/10 – Looked very comfortable in handling Manchester City and, as usual, dictated the tempo.
CM: Jess Park – 7/10 – A wonderful drive just before the break to get past the Bristol City defender but his shot was deflected and saved by goalkeeper Yanez. He was forced to give the ball away easily at times, but he made things happen for his team against a strong Bristol City defence.
CM: Laura Coombs – 6/10 – Too many touches in the box to waste a big chance at the start of the second half. He kept things moving in midfield but it wasn't the highlight of the night.
RW: Mary Fowler – 8/10 – Found plenty of space down the right and caused problems for Bristol City with a dangerous cut in the box towards Chloe Kelly. A terrific effort on the hour mark finally put his side ahead and made the victory beyond doubt with a second. Show great maturity to step up when it matters most.
LW: Lauren Hemp – 7/10 – I got my first real chance of the game but I couldn't hit the target. Often clinical, it was a disappointing night in front of goal, but he got Fowler's second assist.
ST: Chloe Kelly – 7/10 – A quiet night in front of goal with Shaw replacing Shaw. It looked very scary when he was sent off in the second half things happened.
What you are holding
SUB: Kerstin Casparij (HT' of Alanna Kennedy) – 7/10
SUB: Laura Blindkilde (72' for Laura Coombs) – 7/10
Subscribers used: Steph Houghton, Esme Morgan, Filippa Angeldal, Poppy Pritchard, Laura Blindkilde, Ruby Mace, Katie Startup,
The manager
Gareth Taylor – 7/10 – Well prepared midway through the game to switch forwards and give Bristol City plenty to think about. Substitutions also paid off in the second half as the win was comfortably secured in the end.
READ THE LATEST WOMEN'S SOCCER NEWS
Source link
