Manchester Metropolis beat Bristol Metropolis 4-0 to make it a formidable 14 league wins on the bounce and prolong their lead on the prime of the WSL desk.
With Chelsea out of motion this weekend as a consequence of their involvement within the Champions League, Gareth Taylor’s facet had the chance to place some respiration house between themselves and the London membership on the prime of the desk. Chelsea will now need to win each their video games in hand towards Liverpool and Tottenham to place themselves again on the identical factors tally as their title rivals.
Bristol Metropolis’s race is sadly run and the 3-0 defeat by the hands of the title chasers confirms their relegation again to the Championship. Lauren Smith’s facet had been solely promoted final season, however the gulf at school has been obvious this time period as they go down with two video games to spare.
How the sport unfolded
It was a method visitors for a lot of the first-half, however Manchester Metropolis did not make their dominance rely. The opening 45 minutes noticed the guests management possession with 75% they usually had a staggering 16 photographs to Bristol Metropolis’s two.
Within the absence of Khadija Shaw, who has been dominated out for the remainder of the season with a foot damage, Taylor was counting on Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly and Mary Fowler to step up with targets. All three, in addition to Jess Park, had alternatives to place Manchester Metropolis forward however most efforts had little energy behind them and had been snug sufficient saves for Bristol Metropolis goalkeeper Shae Yanez.
The hosts had moments of their very own. A harmful cross into the field was destined to fulfill Amalie Thestrup however some courageous goalkeeping from Khiara Keating saved issues degree. Amy Rodgers additionally almost capitalised on some unfastened possession from Alanna Kennedy however the guests nearly managed to clear the hazard.
A scarcity of leading edge was one thing the supervisor wanted to repair for Manchester Metropolis heading into the second-half. A slight tactical tweak on the break noticed Hemp transfer central and Kelly out extensive.
They wanted one thing particular to interrupt the impasse and Fowler stepped up with an extended vary strike from the sting of the field on the hour mark. Her ferocious effort gave the goalkeeper no probability and the stress immediately eased for Manchester Metropolis.
Fowler stepped up with a second 10 minutes later as she bought the ultimate contact on a Hemp cross. An own-goal from Rodgers then put the win far past any doubt.
As purpose distinction might be the deciding issue within the title race this season, Manchester Metropolis continued their hunt for a fourth. They duly delivered as Alex Greenwood had a free header from a nook proper on the dying and it nearly crossed the road.
GK: Khiara Keating – 7/10 – Some courageous goalkeeping within the first half to get a hand to a harmful cross destined for Thestrup. Had subsequent to nothing to do second-half, however did look snug in possession.
RB: Laia Aleixandri – 7/10 – Did a stable job in two positions as she moved central following the half-time substitution that noticed Kennedy taken off.
CB: Alanna Kennedy – 6/10 – Practically gifted the hosts a gap within the first-half and was fortunate to not concede a foul as Bristol Metropolis regarded to capitalise. Substituted at half-time.
CB: Alex Greenwood – 7/10 – Some fairly slack passing at instances however did sufficient defensively to minimise Bristol Metropolis’s menace on the uncommon events they did get ahead. Ensured her teammates remained calm when issues weren’t going their method. Scored the fourth late on proper on the dying.
LB: Leila Ouahabi – 7/10 – Might’ve had a few assists if ending was higher first half. Appeared a menace down the left for many of the recreation because the guests managed possession all through.
DM: Yui Hasegawa – 7/10 – Appeared essentially the most snug in possession for Manchester Metropolis and, as regular, dictated the tempo.
CM: Jess Park – 7/10 – A improbable driving run simply earlier than half-time to get previous a number of Bristol Metropolis defender however her eventual shot was tame and was comfortably saved by goalkeeper Yanez. Pressured off the ball a bit of too simple from time to time, however made issues occur for her facet towards a resilient Bristol Metropolis defence.
CM: Laura Coombs – 6/10 – Too many touches within the field to squander an enormous probability early within the second-half. Stored issues ticking over in midfield however wasn’t a standout on the evening.
RW: Mary Fowler – 8/10 – Discovered loads of house down the fitting and brought about Bristol Metropolis issues with some harmful cut-backs into the field aimed toward Chloe Kelly. Outrageous effort on the hour mark to lastly put her facet in entrance after which put the win past doubt with a second. Confirmed a lot maturity to step up when it mattered most.
LW: Lauren Hemp – 7/10 – Had the primary actual alternative of the sport however couldn’t hit the goal. Normally so medical, it was a disappointing night in entrance of purpose, however she did get the help for Fowler’s second.
ST: Chloe Kelly – 7/10 – A quiet evening in entrance of purpose having stepped into the facet rather than Shaw. Appeared much more threatening when she was moved out extensive second-half an dmade issues occur.
Substitutes
SUB: Kerstin Casparij (HT’ for Alanna Kennedy) – 7/10
SUB: Laura Blindkilde (72’ for Laura Coombs) – 7/10
Subs not used: Steph Houghton, Esme Morgan, Filippa Angeldal, Poppy Pritchard, Laura Blindkilde, Ruby Mace, Katie Startup,
Supervisor
Gareth Taylor – 7/10 – Tailored effectively throughout the recreation to change the forwards round and provides Bristol Metropolis extra to consider. Substitutions additionally paid off within the second-half because the win was comfortably secured ultimately.