Manchester City have recorded a fifth consecutive victory in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League by defeating West Ham United 4-0 at The Academy Stadium this afternoon.
Caroline Weir, Georgia Stanway, Ellen White and Rose Lavelle got the goals for City as they continued their impressive run since November’s 2-2 derby draw with neighbours Manchester United at The Leigh Sports Village.
Gareth Taylor’s side raced into a ninth-minute lead in their latest fixture against West Ham United. Chloe Kelly’s low cross from the right found Weir at the far post and the Scotland international steered the ball home from just a few yards.
A last-ditch clearance from Hammers defender Grace Fisk then denied White a tap in before the same player fired a weak effort in on goal which was gathered by visiting keeper Mackenzie Arnold.
City netted a second goal six minutes before the break when Stanway hooked the ball into the roof of the net from close range before captain Steph Houghton was inches away from making it three on the verge of half-time after connecting with an Alex Greenwood free-kick.
As you would expect, City started the second period with plenty of possession and some hesitant West Ham United defending resulted in Greenwood finding the ball at her feet. The full-back curled in a dangerous delivery and the ball nearly found it’s way into the net before Lauren Hemp saw a cross strike the bar from a similar position out wide on the left.
Visiting keeper Arnold then had to be alert to palm a deflected Stanway effort wide before White netted a third City goal, heading home from a corner kick.
West Ham United full-back Maz Pacheco had a particularly tough afternoon and she slipped when in possession of the ball, allowing City substitute Lavelle to nip in and score a fourth goal with 19 minutes to go.
City midfielder Weir’s last contribution saw the player drill a shot narrowly wide before she was replaced by Aoife Mannion, a player who was making her comeback from a long-term Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury.
The series of substitutions arguably disrupted the final few minutes of the match as City ended the game 4-0 winners to continue their title push.
Taylor takes his City side to Arsenal for their next Barclays FA Women’s Super League fixture next Sunday while West Ham United face a huge relegation six-pointer against Bristol City, a side now managed by their former boss Matt Beard.
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