A brace from Toni Duggan and Daphne Corboz’s first goal for the club clinched the three points on a thoroughly comfortable evening at the Stoke Gifford Stadium.
The Blues produced an impressive, professional display which saw them carve open the hosts’ defence on a number of occasions, delighting the crowd with some sumptuous build-up play and composure.
As was the case against Birmingham last time out, the margin of victory could have been greater but there was little to criticise in this display in what manager
Against a team which had completed the double over his side last season, the boss made just one change to the one which defeated Birmingham, as Krystle Johnston came in to replace the injured Natasha Harding, who was unfortunate to miss out on the chance to face her former club.
The visitors started the game excellently, dominating possession and zipping the ball around quickly and effectively. However, they were found lacking at times in the final third.
In the opening quarter of an hour, Johnston came closest, cutting inside but curling just wide after linking up well with Nikita Parris.
For large periods of the first half, the Blues were content to pass the ball around. At times, their build-up play was a joy to behold.
As a result, Bristol were limited to half-chances and struggled to retain the ball before the away side made the breakthrough just before the half-hour mark.
Duggan was the one to net it, clinching her second in as many games - and what a goal it was. Collecting the ball from Parris, the striker composed herself before unleashing a powerful, long-range effort into the back of the net, which clipped the bar on its way in.
It was a moment of brilliance, portraying the confidence of a player buoyed by an historic World Cup campaign.
The hosts responded well to falling behind. Angharad James blazed over, while Tatiana Pinto fired wide and Caroline Weir shot straight at Karen Bardsley.
At the other end, Jennifer Beattie - solid all evening - headed over, and the Blues took their slender lead into the break.
In the second half, they hit top gear. Within two minutes, Duggan rattled the crossbar before the striker headed Isobel Christiansen through but Mary Earps did well to block the effort.
As the onslaught continued, Lucy Bronze then volleyed wide, Christiansen was unfortunate to smash against the woodwork and captain Steph Houghton headed over.
Typically, Jill Scott was at the heart of City’s best attacks, breezing forward with ease at every opportunity.
Cushing then opted to introduce new recruit Corboz and she certainly made an impact - but not before Duggan doubled her personal tally.
Parris was unlucky to see her shot saved but the ball fell kindly for her strike partner, who swept home to give her side some breathing space - and from then on, the result rarely looked in doubt.
In search of her hat-trick, Duggan stung Earps’ hands before Corboz opened her City account, slotting home to finish off an excellent team move and seal a fantastic win.
Duggan perhaps should have netted her third late on, skewing wide - but that spurned chance could not dampen a brilliant performance which lifts City up to fifth in the table, six points behind league-leaders Chelsea who are next weekend’s opponents.
Next up for City is a trip to Doncaster in their opening Continental Cup clash on Thursday 23 July.
