Braces from Krystle Johnston and Nikita Parris plus a goal from Isobel Christiansen secured the victory as the Blues continued their 100% record since the season restarted after the World Cup.
On a comfortable night at the Academy Stadium, Nick Cushing’s side produced a thoroughly dominant and professional display, peppering the visitors’ goal with efforts as the away side struggled to venture out of their own half.
Speaking to mcfc.co.uk after the game, the City boss expressed his delight to have a dressing room full of confidence and gaining impetus.
“I’m really pleased,” he stated. “The players are happy because of the performances and we’re really starting to dominate teams. We’re getting the ball down, putting some passes together and creating chances - that’s what we want.
“We’re building momentum but we take every game as it comes and what pleases me most is that we look like a Manchester City team now. We’re playing the club’s free-flowing style and people are enjoying watching it.
“We were worried at the start of the year that we were not scoring goals although we were creating chances but I knew it would come. Tactically, we’re causing teams real problems at the moment and that’s why we’re seeing goals scored.”
On the back of a hectic schedule which has seen the Blues play four games in 11 days, Cushing opted to make a host of changes to his line-up, allowing youngsters and those who had not received much game time recently to enjoy minutes on the pitch.
Johnston, Abbie McManus and Emma Lipman made the starting XI while starlets Georgia Stanway and Zoe Tynan were named on the bench, along with Natasha Flint who made her return from international duty.
Reflecting on his selection, Cushing explained: “We’re no different to the men’s team - we want to prove that we’re growing our own talent here and producing some really good players - and it was pleasing to show that the future of this Club were able to get some vital experience.
“Those that had not had many minutes took their chance when it came.”
Heading into the clash in excellent form, City started brightly against their FA Women’s Super League 2 opponents and almost opened the scoring after just five minutes when skipper Steph Houghton - playing in a more advanced role - saw a long-range effort pushed wide by Anne Moorhouse.
It was an early sign of things to come and the hosts were soon laying siege to the Wildcats’ goal. Daphne Corboz was unfortunate to drive an effort wide before City broke the deadlock on 12 minutes, simultaneously opening the proverbial floodgates.
It was Johnston who netted the opener. Prior to the game, she had told mcfc.co.uk she wanted to make the most of her chance to shine in front of another impressive home crowd and she certainly did so, curling into the far corner.
Shortly afterwards, the lead was doubled. Neat intricate play between Corboz and Christiansen sent the latter clear and the midfielder squared for Parris to tap home in a goal almost identical to the one she scored against Doncaster last week.
The striker almost had her second within minutes but shot wide. Just moments later though, Christiansen made it 3-0, sliding the ball into the bottom corner after Toni Duggan had done well to create the space to pick her out.
Houghton’s attempt to add a fourth flew just off-target before Parris doubled her personal tally, smashing the ball home at the second attempt after her original effort was blocked.
City headed into half-time with a 4-0 lead and were thoroughly deserving of it.
After the break, the home side continued where they left off and would go on to add another goal to their tally - though it was not for the want of trying for more.
Johnston was inches away from netting her second of the game, while Duggan and Flint’s attempts to get in on the act suffered the same fate.
The victory was sealed with three minutes of normal time remaining when Johnston drilled low into the near post. The winger almost had a hat-trick in injury time but blazed over, though the miss did little to dampen spirits and City were applauded off the field by another strong, vocal home following.
Cushing took time to acknowledge the Blue faithful in his post-match interview, asserting: “The fans have been exceptional and I’m a believer that’s why the players have been playing so well at the moment.
“In recent games, we’ve had big crowds with lots of enthusiasm and energy and the players love that.
“We have a bit of rest time now before our next game against Arsenal which is vital for the players and staff, allowing everyone to make sure the players are on the pitch fully prepared to win that game.”
City’s clash with the Gunners takes place on Sunday 9 August and kicks-off at 6pm. The game has been chosen for live broadcast on BT Sport.
