Despite playing 120 minutes during their 4-2 FA Women’s Continental League Cup defeat against Chelsea in midweek, there were no signs of fatigue for Manchester City as they recorded a 7-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion at the American Express Elite Performance Centre this afternoon.
City controlled the proceedings against Albion with Chloe Kelly providing three assists and a goal on her side’s way to a 7-1 victory, continuing their impressive form winning six of their last seven games in all competitions.
With three Barclays FA Women’s Super League games postponed due to heavy snowfall, there were no signs of snow in the sunny Sussex hills. City’s first chance came in the 11th minute. Kelly successfully worked her way towards the byline on the right side of the pitch, ultimately crossing it to Caroline Weir who was left with an easy tap in.
Weir and Lauren Hemp then combined with a delightful one-two to put City 2-0 up, as Weir caressed the ball into the top right corner of the goal.
Weir was constantly involved, hunting for a first half hat-trick. Her best opportunity came in the 37th minute, performing a skilful run to beat a quartet of Brighton & Hove Albion defenders, only to be denied by outstretched home keeper Cecilie Fiskerstrand.
City didn’t have to wait too much longer for their third goal as an in-swinging corner from Alex Greenwood eventually found Steph Houghton on the back post to tap it in just before half-time.
Going into the second half, City continued to have hold of the game with Kelly continuing to impress. In the 57th minute, Kelly broke down the right hand side and drove the ball across the box where Ellen White was waiting to dispatch it into the bottom left corner, giving her side a four-goal lead.
Soon after, Houghton curled a stunning free-kick into the top left corner, the ball bouncing in off the crossbar to record her second goal of the day. It was a great way to cap-off what was a record breaking 150th Barclays FA Women’s Super League appearance, a feat that no other player has ever achieved.
The Citizens continued to show no signs of fatigue. Kelly found half-time substitute Janine Beckie at the back post but the hosts were able to deal with City’s goal threat this time, clearing the ball off the line.
Albion netted a consolation goal in the 69th minute when a wayward City pass fell to Rianna Jarrett who punished a poorly positioned Ellie Roebuck.
The game wasn’t over yet as Kelly turned scorer. After providing two goals, she finally got on the scoresheet herself with a well taken finish to add to Brighton & Hove Albion’s misery. The player once again became the provider four minutes later as she set up Beckie to make it 14 goals in two league games for The Citizens and cap-off a fine individual performance.
It was an uncontested victory for Manchester City with Brighton and Hove Albion’s only chance coming from a City mistake. Gareth Taylor’s side ultimately eased to a 7-1 victory at the American Express Elite Performance Centre with Kelly, Weir and Houghton putting in particularly impressive performances.
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