Nick Cushing’s side carried an already impressive winning streak into 2018 after an eventful win over Reading away at Adams Park.
Debutant Nadia Nadim secured City’s first goal of the match, while Claire Emslie, Izzy Christiansen and two from Jill Scott made up the rest of the tally for the visitors.
Reading fought back throughout the match and the home side’s two goals came from Remi Allen and Brooke Chaplen.
What happened
The first-half was simply incredible and jam-packed full of goals – five to be exact!
New signing Nadim was the first to make it on the score sheet after securing a goal just six minutes into her Manchester City debut.
Nadim was carefully waiting in the box and ready to pounce onto Nikita Parris’ cross and head home to take us 1-0 up.
The new recruit looked eager to gain another throughout the first half, with an effort in the 28th minute which fired slightly wide of Mary Earps’ post.
On the 32nd Claire Emslie doubled City’s lead after collecting Nadim’s perfectly-timed through ball and fired a low shot around Earps.
Reading were quick with their response when Remi Allen converted Fara Williams’ cross just two minutes later.
Allen’s goal was followed with an equaliser from Brooke Chaplen in the 41st minute which saw both sides go level just moments before the break.
However, City were determined to snatch their lead back and Christiansen made sure of that when she fired in Parris’ cross to secure the third of City’s goals just two minutes before the half-time whistle.
The second half was a little more subdued than the first, but there were still plenty of goals!
Scott was on hand to score both City’s fourth and fifth goals of the match. The Lioness’ first was a spectacular back-header from Christiansen’s corner which pinpointed the near post on the 56th, then two minutes later Scott collected Emslie’s cross to shift the ball just over the line.
There was initial confusion as to whether the ball went over the line, but the referee confirmed that the goal stood.
Throughout the final 15 minutes of the game it felt as though a goal was brewing, whether it be from City or Reading, but the side’s battled to prevent either side from adding the eighth goal of the game.
It was an exciting match to watch whichever your chosen team, but it was City who came out on top.
How they lined up
Ellie Roebuck took her place in goal with a back four of Abbie McManus, Steph Houghton, Jen Beattie and Demi Stokes.
Scott, Christiansen and Kiera Walsh made up the midfield, while Parris and Emslie flanked debutant Nadim up front.
What it means
City’s emphatic win over Reading means that the Blues go two points clear of second-placed Chelsea at the top of the FA Women’s Super League on 18 points.
Up next
Next up, Nick Cushing’s side head down south to face Chelsea in the Continental Cup semi-final, on Sunday 14 January with kick-off at 2pm.
