Manchester City move within two points of the Women’s Super League summit with a dominant win at Birmingham.
Chloe Kelly crossed for Sam Mewis to head in the opener to break the home resistance shortly before half-time.
Two quick goals put the game beyond doubt as Mewis netted at the second attempt from Alex Greenwood’s corner and Lauren Hemp floated in a third.
Ellen White teed up Caroline Weir to tap in City’s fourth before Rose Lavelle’s late drive struck the bar.
An eighth straight WSL win in an 11-match unbeaten run brought City to within two points of leaders Chelsea and took them four clear of rivals Manchester United.
Gareth Taylor’s side dominated throughout, but were made to work hard to create chances in the first half against the defensive-minded hosts.
White saw her downward header turned round the post by Birmingham goalkeeper Hannah Hampton and then sent a snapshot over the bar before United States midfielder Mewis marked her return from injury with the breakthrough goal thanks to Kelly’s ninth assist of the season.
City, who have racked up 42 goals in their past 10 league matches, threatened to run riot as Mewis doubled the lead and Hemp added a fortunate third just 90 seconds later.
Weir made it six goals in as many matches as the visitors played out the game and turned their thoughts to the first leg of their Women’s Champions League last-16 tie with Fiorentina on Wednesday.
Birmingham stayed ninth as their winless run stretched to five.
Line-ups
B’ham City Women
Formation 5-4-1
- 1Hampton
- 3Scott
- 16Brougham
- 4Mace
- 20Napier
- 25Holloway
- 18Walker
- 2Mayling
- 12LittlejohnBooked at 63minsSubstituted forGreenat 90’minutes
- 19WhippSubstituted forKellyat 75’minutes
- 35MurphySubstituted forMcCarronat 75’minutes
Substitutes
- 7McCarron
- 8Green
- 11Grant
- 14Kelly
- 24Whitehouse
- 30Lawley
- 37Hart
Man City Women
Formation 4-3-3
- 26Roebuck
- 20Bronze
- 6HoughtonSubstituted forDahlkemperat 76’minutes
- 27Greenwood
- 14Morgan
- 7Coombs
- 22MewisSubstituted forStanwayat 64’minutes
- 19Weir
- 9KellySubstituted forMannionat 72’minutes
- 18WhiteSubstituted forDaviesat 77’minutes
- 15HempSubstituted forLavelleat 72’minutes
Substitutes
- 2Mannion
- 10Stanway
- 13Dahlkemper
- 21Lavelle
- 34Benameur
- 35Keating
- 39Davies
- Referee:
- Helen Conley
Live Text
Match ends, Birmingham City Women 0, Manchester City Women 4.
Full Time