Manchester City have continued their push for the Barclays Women’s Super League title with a 5-1 victory over Liverpool at The Joie Stadium this afternoon.
Khadija Shaw netted a hat-trick for The Cityzens while Chloe Kelly was also on target in the rout. The other Manchester City goal was scored by the unfortunate Gemma Bonner who put through her own net in the first half.
Manchester City started the game with a gusty wind blowing against their backs. It felt like The Cityzens would have a 12th-player throughout the opening 45 minutes.
Gareth Taylor’s side went close to breaking the deadlock in the 12th minute when a ball deflected into the path of Kelly but she was denied by visiting keeper Teagan Micah who got a strong glove to the shot.
It was Liverpool who then took the lead against the run of play and the wind. A looping ball caused Manchester City problems and Taylor Hinds was able to lob Khiara Keating from 20 yards.
Manchester City weren’t behind for long. A dangerous cross was delivered from the right and the ball deflected off the boot of Liverpool defender Bonner and into the net.
Shaw then fired The Cityzens ahead for the first time when she robbed Liverpool of possession and slotted the ball in from close range. The same player then almost made it 3-1 but she couldn’t direct a volley below the crossbar.
As the first half edged towards its conclusion, Micah did well to deny Laura Coombs before Shaw headed home a third Manchester City goal in stoppage time.
Given the wind direction, you’d have expected Liverpool to enjoy more of the attacking play in the second half, however, it was Manchester City who retained their dominance.
Kelly went close early in the half with a curling effort which landed on the roof of the net before Shaw completed her hat-trick with a cheeky back-heel after capitalising on another defensive error from the visitors.
Micah then pulled off an excellent double-save to deny Alex Greenwood and Kelly before Sophie Roman Haug saw an effort blocked by Keating at the other end.
Manchester City continued to attack for the remainder of the game but there were no further goals as the scoreline remained at 5-1. The result sees Manchester City move back into second place in the Barclays Women’s Super League table while Liverpool are fifth.