Manchester City Women are another step closer to chasing down title rivals Manchester United after a huge win against West Ham on Sunday afternoon put them second in the table.
A scintillating game saw eight goals in a drama-fuelled match testing West Ham's ability to defend corners. Chloe Kelly stunned throughout the entire 90 minutes, showing no fear as she began the match by scoring two goals in the space of 60 seconds to give City a dream start after taking advantage of a sloppy West Ham opening.
Despite it being six games without a goal for the Lioness, she was the outstanding player of the match, showing her fearless leadership.
West Ham fought back and with just 11 minutes on the clock we already had our third goal of the game as Emma Snerle halved her side's deficit, though Laura Coombs restored the two-goal cushion just past the halfway mark of the first 45.
An uneventful 15 minutes followed the half-time interval before Bunny Shaw's goal in the 62nd minute and City continued to hit the back of the net until the very end, with the home side running out 6-2 winners. Here's how the players rated:
Khiara Keating - Stepped into Ellie Roebuck's shoes after she suffered a knock pre-match and Keating grew in confidence through the game. Suffered an early shake with West Ham's first shot but an absolutely sensational save in the 35th minute to stop Lisa Evans' shot at close range. Really unlucky with West Ham's second goal deflecting off her palm going down as an own goal - she should be really proud of her performance. 8
Kerstin Casparij - Made good runs and is a good link-up for Filippa Angeldahl to carry the ball down the wing. Played a part in providing for Kelly. 7
Steph Houghton - Was relatively quiet until the 65th minute when she managed a cheeky tap-in off the back post from a corner on her 35th birthday. 7
Alex Greenwood - Gave every England fan a scare within five minutes after going down needing treatment, but was thankfully up and playing again within a few moments. Key in midfield for City and clinical with her movements. 8
Esme Morgan - Kept the City backline steady but her first-half performance wasn't anything special. Made some good challenges and seemed to come into the game in the second half. 7
Yui Hasegawa - Stayed aware and created a strong midfield for her team to pass through. Tried to throw herself in front of the ball for West Ham's goal but unfortunate as it got past her. 7
Filippa Angeldahl - Some good runs early on but unlucky for nobody to be on the end of her crosses. 7
Laura Coombs - Superb strong header to give City their third, a reward for playing every single WSL game this season. Stood out in City's midfield, keeping it strong. 8
Chloe Kelly - Scored City's two opening goals within 60 seconds of each other. She was the centre of City's game, providing chances and goals throughout the entire 90 minutes. If only she'd got that hat-trick. 9
Lauren Hemp - Created danger for West Ham and provided support for Shaw to allow the top goalscorer to make room in the box. Constantly making runs down the wing, creating chances and being a solid presence for City. 8
Bunny Shaw - Continues to be that prominent figure in the City attack, but she had to settle for the one goal today. 7
SUBSTITUTES
Deyna Castellanos - Her speed immediately made an impact on the game. 7
Mary Fowler - Unmarked in the box and got contact on a Kelly corner to get her first WSL goal and City's sixth of the night. 7
Leila Ouahabi - Didn't make much of an impact after coming on as a substitute but she did almost give Kelly her hat-trick but Kelly's effort went just wide. 6
Hayley Raso - Some unselfish play as she created chances for the team and pushed forward. 7
City face Reading next at home on Sunday, April 30 at 2pm.
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