Manchester City opened up an 11-point gap at the top of the Women’s Super League table after demolishing defending champions Chelsea 5-1 at the Etihad.
The result all but ends Chelsea’s attempts to retain their title, now the furthest from the top they have been since the final day of the 2018-19 season – when Arsenal were crowned champions.
Andree Jeglertz’s City, on a 13-game winning run, dominated their rivals in ways usually alien to a side like Chelsea. The visitors packed the midfield and yet were beaten in the head-to-head duel count by a staggering amount, while also conceding all manner of chances. Defensive holes were everywhere.
Kerolin scored City’s opener from the second phase of a corner, deflecting a shot beyond Hannah Hampton via Ellie Carpenter. The second followed a turnover in midfield, seized upon by Viv Miedema, who fed Bunny Shaw to score her 107th goal in 125 City appearances.
Khadija Shaw was also on target as Man City went 11 clear of nearest rivals Man Utd
And City were far from done. Kerolin scored twice more after the break to complete her hat-trick, both on the counter, with her electric pace a mismatch for both Millie Bright and Naomi Girma. Miedema then nodded Kerstin Casparij’s corner home after Alyssa Thompson had scored a well-taken consolation.
The scoreline was symbolic of the gulf in class on the day and in the WSL title race more broadly, with City on course for their first title in a decade and the Blues currently only good enough for third spot. Incidentally, the last time Chelsea lost back-to-back league games was also over a decade ago. Bompastor’s side were already down – surely now they are out of the hunt entirely.
