Gareth Taylor’s side's composure helped them stretch their winning streak to seven games with their 3-0 win over Sunderland in the Continental Cup.
Goals from Khadija Shaw, Hayley Raso and Julie Blakstad gave the home side three goals, three points and their third home win of the season.
Blakstad opened up the scoring with a simple tap-in during the opening minutes of play but it wasn't until the second half that City managed to double their lead. Raso capitalised from a loose ball 30 yards out before charging into the box and finding the net herself after assisting for the opener. Shaw solidified the win for the Sky Blues with her thunderous, unstoppable shot on the hour.
Player ratings:
Ellie Roebuck - Not had much to deal with, yet didn’t switch off, she was happy to play with the ball at her feet and confidently dealt with corner kicks in the first half. 6
Esme Morgan - Featured out on the right, she demonstrates her versatility at the top level. She often stepped into the holding centre-midfield space offering extra central support in possession and providing Raso with more space out wide. Very comfortable on the ball and was involved both defensively and in attack with an attempt on goal in the first half. 8
Steph Houghton © - Solid and kept a fluid movement in the back line, with a lot of rotation between her and Morgan yet always looked in control and organised, keeping the play contained in the Sunderland half. 6
Alex Greenwood - Another solid performance she kept the ball moving and delivered promising crosses into the box. Confident and compelling in her aerial battles and dropped deep to support other defenders for options - a player you can depend on. 7
Laia Ouahabi - Enjoyed a significant amount of space on the left, her linkup play with Hasegawa, Angeldahl and Blakstad troubled Sunderland. She kept a relaxed yet highly disciplined style but a little lacklustre. 6
Yui Hasegawa - Tight small passes and link-up play helped to connect the team, and create space and options for the back line to play out through. A key player in the game. She consistently asked for the ball around the centre circle and challenged any opposing player in that space. One of her best performances. 9
Filippa Angeldahl - A lot of energy and movement that matched the holding role of Hasegawa well in the middle of the park. Great link-up play on the flank, and tended to play the ball into teammates rather than attempt an attack on goal herself. In the second half, she switched to the right side - great versatility. 7
Mary Fowler - Mirrored Hasegawa in a more attacking role, very comfortable on the ball trying to find space in and around Sunderland’s midfield - she handled their chaotic press well with touch-and-go movements. 7
Haley Raso - Her persistent energy on the right flank led to an assist for the first goal and netted the second herself. Swarmed with red and white shirts when on the ball, she did well to try and dribble around them drawing several fowls. 8
Khadija Shaw - Played high and right on the shoulder of the last defender almost man-marking herself out of the game. Needed to drop deep to get more of the ball which she got more joy from in the second half finally finding the net to solidify the win. 7
Julie Blakstad - Her calm and collected goal broke the deadlock early into the game. When she lost possession she outworked every player hunting the ball back, she also had fantastic footwork in and around the box to create space against so many bodies in the box. 7
