A goal in each half from Nikita Parris and Toni Duggan claimed the three points for the Blues to maintain their 100% league record.
Four victories have also heralded four clean sheets as Nick Cushing’s side continue to set the pace, and they were thoroughly deserving of their triumph at the Hetton Centre.
For City’s second game of the week, the Blues’ boss opted to field the same starting XI which earned a hard-fought 2-0 victory at Birmingham. Duggan, who missed the trip to Solihull through injury, was named on the bench.
It took time for both sides to settle into the game, with the first chance arriving on 15 minutes after a scrappy start.
Jill Scott – influential throughout – was involved, playing a neat one-two with skipper Steph Houghton out wide before cutting back for Parris, who scooped over.
Kosovare Asllani was then denied by Rachael Laws in the Black Cats goal – the shot-stopper equal to her header. The scenario would be repeated ten minutes later.
At the other end, the hosts’ main threat came through Stephanie Roche, who first sent a long-ranged effort whistling just over the bar and then forced Karen Bardsley into a low stop.
In response, City piled on the pressure. Daphne Corboz fired straight at Laws before the visitors broke the deadlock with five minutes of the half remaining with another impressive team move.
Scott was the instigator, driving forward before finding Corboz in the area. Known for her excellent vision, the midfielder spotted Parris in space at the backpost and fed the forward, who composed herself before smashing into the near post.
It was the striker’s third goal of the season and third in three visits to the Hetton Centre – and her celebration suggested she very much enjoyed the strike!
The second half saw City dominate possession and continue to create chances.
Stokes, who produced a superb display, floated an inch-perfect ball to Asllani who bore down on goal – only for defender Victoria Williams to chase back and put the Swede off.
Parris then headed Asllani’s free-kick over before the Blues effectively killed the game with fifteen minutes left as substitute Duggan scored with her first touch.
The England star had Stokes to thank for the assist, as the full-back unselfishly played her fellow Lioness in and Duggan marked her return from injury by slotting into the bottom corner.
Jane Ross almost added a third and her fifth in five games late on but shot into Laws’ arms, as two proved enough to secure another crucial three points in the title race.
The Blues have little time to reflect on the triumph, with the visit of Doncaster Belles on Bank Holiday Monday (2 May, 2pm) to the Academy Stadium.
