A brace from Isobel Christansen plus goals from Jill Scott, Lucy Bronze, Nikita Parris and Georgia Stanway ensured the Blues leapfrogged Chelsea Ladies to the summit – before the Londoners regained top spot with victory at Liverpool later in the evening.
The triumph – City’s 12th in 13 games – was thoroughly deserved as the home side dominated and crucially, took their chances to put the pressure on their title rivals.
On a glorious day in Manchester, City also received a boost with the return of Daphne Corboz from injury. The American midfielder was named on the bench, as was young goalkeeper Alex McIver in the absence of Alex Brooks.
Cushing named the same starting XI which defeated Liverpool last time out – the Blues’ game in hand.
City headed into the clash knowing nothing less than a win would keep them in contention for the league crown with a feast of goals desired to close the goal difference gap. Equally, Bristol needed three points to stand any chance of avoiding relegation, though that would depend on other results.
The Vixens started the brighter of the two sides, with two efforts within the first minute. They called Karen Bardsley into action a number of times throughout the afternoon, but fortunately found the England goalkeeper difficult to beat.
Parris was the first to try her luck for the hosts but her ambitious long-range attempt did little to trouble Mary Earps.
City wouldn’t have to wait long to break the deadlock though as a wonderful team move unlocked the Bristol defence on nine minutes. Krystle Johnston was the architect, floating an excellent cross-field ball to Natasha Harding, who headed into the path of Scott. The England midfielder, who scored for the Lionesses against Estonia on Monday, controlled well before drilling into the bottom corner.
Buoyed and relaxed by the opener, City became more and more comfortable in possession and laid siege to the Vixens’ goal.
Scott almost doubled her personal tally when she connected with Harding’s cross but blazed her volley over the bar.
The hosts did clinch a two-goal cushion on 34 minutes though. Christiansen, fresh from making her goalscoring debut for England, was the one to find the net, firing in a deflected effort from Scott’s chest-down on the edge of the area. It was the midfielder’s seventh of the season and fourth in as many games.
It was 3-0 before the break when Bronze converted after a spell of pinball in the box landed the ball at the feet of the defender, who applied the finish to give her side an unassailable half-time lead.
The home side continued where they left off after the break and netted their fourth of the afternoon within three minutes of the restart, as Parris ended her goal drought, smashing into the roof of the net at the second attempt.
Bristol then pulled one back as City fell victim to an uncharacteristic lapse of concentration. Bardsley did well at first to deny Caroline Weir but the Scotland international followed up with the rebound and the ball found its way over the line.
City responded well to the consolation. Christiansen and Jennifer Beattie both saw efforts trickle wide before the Blues restored their four-goal cushion when referee Peter Gooch awarded a penalty after Bronze was upended.
Up stepped Christiansen to power in her second of the game from the spot.
The midfielder almost had a hat-trick, almost connecting with Corboz’s through-ball, but the hosts would net a sixth just moments later. Substitute Stanway controlled Scott’s low cross and fired into the bottom corner to seal an excellent victory for Cushing’s side.
Next weekend marks the final league game of the season as City welcome Notts County to the Academy Stadium. With the Blues fighting for the league title on home turf, you won’t want to miss it. Click here for fixture and ticket details.
