Manchester City Women produced a magnificent display against West Ham to return to the top of the WSL. A brace by Bunny Shaw followed a first-minute opener by Leila Ouahabi to put City 3-0 up at half-time. Further goals by Laura Blindkilde Brown and star of the show Jess Park sent City back to the summit with a better goal difference of two over Chelsea.
It was City’s 13th straight win in the WSL which edges them closer to wrenching the title from Chelsea’s grasp. City are now two points clear at the top but, for the first time, have a superior goal difference to their West London rivals, thanks to a lethal display of finishing and are showing no signs of slowing their relentless pursuit of the current champions.
But, despite the goals, it was once again Jess Park who made the difference in the City midfield. The youngster was everywhere on the pitch, almost impossibly in every position and inevitably involved in every move forward.
She was the architect of the first goal that struck an early blow to the Hammers defence and set City on their way. Wonderful movement by Park left her in acres of space to receive a pass from Mary Fowler. Park darted into the penalty area, then outpaced the defender to get to the byline. Her cross into the middle was behind Shaw, but Ouhabi was there to steer the ball home from 12 yards.
After just 72 seconds, it was clear West Ham had a storm to weather, and the last thing they wanted was to allow Shaw to get on the ball inside the penalty area. Unfortunately for them, that exactly what happened just two minutes later. Lauren Hemp’s run and cross down the left was controlled brilliantly by the Jamaican, who then turned and rifled her shot into the top corner to leave the visitors already in damage limitation mode. Shaw is already well clear at the top of the WSL goalscoring chart and destined to take the Golden Boot this season.
She almost added her 50th WSL after a careless mistake by Mackenzie Arnold in the Hammers goal as City threatened to completely wipe out Chelsea’s goal advantage. And they drew level on that stake in the 24th minute as Bunny finally made it to half a century of WSL goals in sky blue. Park’s ball to the left found Hemp again, and her cross was perfectly delivered for Shaw to guide past Arnold and effectively wrap up the points.
While they’ve been banging in goals at one end, the Blues have sometimes conceded unnecessary goals at the other. And City rode their luck at times, Khiara Keating making a good stop from close range, while the Hammers hit the bar with a deflected shot that saw Keating well beaten.
Arnold denied Park another goal towards the end of the first half as the Blues went in 3-0 up at the break. However, the sight of Shaw on crutches at the start of the second half is not what the Blues wanted to see. The striker has had a few problems over the last few weeks, and the Faithful will be hoping the City medical team were just being cautious.
The Hammers started the second half brightly and hit the woodwork twice. Asseyi’s strike rattled the post and some sloppy defending from the Blues gave the ball away in their own half, but the long-range shot hit the top of the crossbar and away to safety.
After those two near-misses, City resumed normal services and once again forced the Hammers back. Alanna Kennedy’s free kick was punched away by Arnold as City aimed to improve the goal difference, which they finally achieved with nine minutes left. Park and Fowler were involved in an intricate move on the edge of the box, and substitute Chloe Kelly released Fowler inside the penalty area. The Australian international’s cross was met by another sub, Laura Blindkilde Brown to fire her first goal for the club into the top corner. A striker’s finish from the new girl who already looks like she’s played in the team for years.
Five minutes later, Park’s superb solo goal finished off the Hammers and gave City a taste of title success. Kennedy’s ball into the middle was initially mis-controlled by Park, however, the slight touch took the ball away and into space. Park raced forward and Hemp’s run took the defender with her, opening up the space for Park to continue into before firing low past Arnold.
Advantage City in the title race and the Blues will have an opportunity to widen the gap before Chelsea play again. City face relegation candidates Bristol City next weekend and a win will not only send the Blues six points clear, but also relegate their opponents.
Final Score: Manchester City Women 5-0 West Ham Women