Manchester Metropolis beat Bristol Metropolis 4-0 to make it a formidable 14 league wins on the bounce and lengthen their lead on the prime of the WSL desk.
With Chelsea out of motion this weekend on account of their involvement within the Champions League, Gareth Taylor’s aspect had the chance to place some respiration area between themselves and the London membership on the prime of the desk. Chelsea will now must win each their video games in hand in opposition to 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 aspect had been solely promoted final season, however the gulf in 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 didn’t make their dominance depend. The opening 45 minutes noticed the guests management possession with 75% they usually had a staggering 16 pictures 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 harm, 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 free possession from Alanna Kennedy however the guests nearly managed to clear the hazard.
A scarcity of innovative 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 huge.
They wanted one thing particular to interrupt the impasse and Fowler stepped up with a protracted vary strike from the sting of the field on the hour mark. Her ferocious effort gave the goalkeeper no probability and the strain immediately eased for Manchester Metropolis.
Fowler stepped up with a second 10 minutes later as she acquired the ultimate contact on a Hemp cross. An own-goal from Rodgers then put the win far past any doubt.
As purpose distinction may very well 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 demise 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 strong job in two positions as she moved central following the half-time substitution that noticed Kennedy taken off.
CB: Alanna Kennedy – 6/10 – Almost gifted the hosts a gap within the first-half and was fortunate to not concede a foul as Bristol Metropolis appeared 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 risk on the uncommon events they did get ahead. Ensured her teammates remained calm when issues weren’t going their approach. Scored the fourth late on proper on the demise.
LB: Leila Ouahabi – 7/10 – Might’ve had a few assists if ending was higher first half. Seemed a risk down the left for a lot of the sport because the guests managed possession all through.
DM: Yui Hasegawa – 7/10 – Seemed probably the most snug in possession for Manchester Metropolis and, as regular, dictated the tempo.
CM: Jess Park – 7/10 – A incredible 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 slightly too straightforward now and again, however made issues occur for her aspect in opposition to 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. Saved issues ticking over in midfield however wasn’t a standout on the evening.
RW: Mary Fowler – 8/10 – Discovered loads of area down the fitting and brought on Bristol Metropolis issues with some harmful cut-backs into the field geared toward Chloe Kelly. Outrageous effort on the hour mark to lastly put her aspect 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. Often 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 aspect instead of Shaw. Seemed much more threatening when she was moved out huge 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 nicely through the sport 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 in the long run.
