Goals from Jane Ross, Izzy Christiansen, Lucy Bronze and Daphne Corboz earned a 4-0 victory over struggling Doncaster at the Keepmoat Stadium, extending the gap at the top of the Super League table and continuing the Blues’ incredible run.
Having won ten of their twelve league games this season, scoring 30 and conceding just three – as well as booking a place in the Continental Tyres Cup semi-finals – Nick Cushing’s side are in red-hot form.
The league leaders have won their last six on the bounce and are in fact, unbeaten in the WSL since April 2015.
With his side playing their fourth game in twelve days, Cushing made two changes from the one that knocked the Belles out of the cup on Sunday, as Ross and Georgia Stanway replaced Nikita Parris and Corboz.
Quick starts have become a trademark of the table toppers’ excellent recent form – and this one couldn’t have come much quicker, as the visitors broke the deadlock inside 12 seconds.
Leandra Little gifted possession to Christiansen almost from the kick-off, and the midfielder found Stanway out on the wing. The in-form youngster delivered the perfect cross for Ross to head home her 12th goal of the season.
The Scotland international’s displays have been a crucial component in the Blues’ title charge.
Tessel Middag – a creative spark throughout – then almost doubled the advantage with a fierce effort with the outside of her boot, which flew just over the bar.
Stanway also forced Nicola Hobbs into a save before the away side extended their lead on the quarter-hour mark.
Steph Houghton rose to meet Toni Duggan’s corner, heading it into the path of Christiansen at the backpost for the midfielder to bag her fourth in five games. The England star’s return from injury has provided a major boost.
Doncaster hit the post as Christie Murray’s looping effort beat Karen Bardsley but not the woodwork, warning the visitors the clash was not yet over - but it proved to be the closest the home side came to scoring.
City went in search of their third, as Duggan and Stanway both forced Hobbs into good saves - but 2-0 would be the half-time score.
Cushing’s side continued where they left off after the break and Bronze made it 3-0 just after the hour, planting a bullet header past Nobbs from another Duggan corner.
Parris then poked wide and Duggan hit the post with a deflected effort, and the scoring was completed with a minute remaining as Corboz smashed past Hobbs with a powerful strike.
The title dream is well and truly alive…
Next up for the Blues is the visit of Reading on 28 August. Purchase your ticket here and help cheer City on in their bid for the title.
