The 22-year-old netted a brace - her second and third goals for the Club - with a sensational arrowing effort from range and a well-taken penalty, as City returned to winning ways in the FA Women’s Super League with a superb 4-1 victory.
Sam Mewis also bagged her second goal in as many games, curling home expertly, before Ellen White opened her account for the season to wrap up the points at the Academy Stadium.
Spurs grabbed a late consolation as Anna Filbey headed in a corner but it did little to dampen City’s spirits, as the FA Cup Finalists produced a ruthless second performance, hitting form and building momentum at a crucial time in the midst of a crunch period of fixtures.
What happened
Heading into the clash, much of the pre-match talk had focused on the prospect of three World Cup winning summer arrivals gracing the Academy Stadium pitch in City’s Mewis and Rose Lavelle, and Tottenham’s Alex Morgan.
Fresh from bagging her first competitive goal for the Club with the winner against Arsenal, Mewis was the only one of the trio to start with midweek debutant Lavelle named on the bench. English football would have to wait for Morgan’s first taste of WSL action with the forward not included in the visitors’ squad.
Riding the crest of the wave, after booking our place in our third FA Cup Final in four years with Thursday night’s superb triumph over Arsenal, City sought an early advantage and Kelly – the first of five summer recruits – cut inside well before stinging the palms of Becky Spencer with a powerful effort.
Janine Beckie then mis-hit an attempt in the heart of a goalmouth scramble and Kelly drilled just the wrong side of the near post, as City began to take control of a previously scrappy affair.
White was then unfortunate to see a dipping effort strike the crossbar, with the home side turning the screw, but Gareth Taylor’s side would not have to wait too long for the opener to arrive.
It was a case of ‘third time lucky’ for Kelly, as she broke the deadlock with a moment of magic, rocketing a stunning effort beyond Spencer and into the top corner – another glorious strike to add to her collection.
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At the other end, Ellie Roebuck was largely untested but there was a heart-in-mouth moment just before the break, as Rianna Dean collided with the ‘keeper, chasing down a through-ball. The Lionesses shot-stopper bravely raced out and cleared but was caught by the Spurs striker, who received a yellow card.
In the last major action of the half, White dragged an effort just wide before Mewis watched a left-footed attempt whistle just past the far post.
Five minutes after the break, City were handed the chance the double the lead, which Kelly gratefully accepted, smashing home from the penalty spot after Gemma Bonner had been upended by Ria Percival.
Within minutes, the home side had a three-goal cushion with the impactful Mewis finishing Beckie’s clipped through-ball well into the top corner.
The United States star could have had a second but fired straight at Spencer before skewing another effort off-target.
Beckie was also unlucky to see a floated free-kick hit the post with the ball rolling along the line before being scrambled away - but from the resulting corner, White flicked on Steph Houghton’s header to make it four.
In a rare Spurs attack late on, Roebuck produced an excellent save to deny Angela Addison from distance but Filbey rose highest to convert the corner and reduce the deficit.
What it means
City have seven points from our opening three games – two wins and a draw.
Taylor’s side move up to third in the table – if only temporarily before the afternoon fixtures – gaining ground on early pace-setters Everton and sitting level on points with neighbours Manchester United.
How we lined up
Taylor opted to make three changes to the side that triumphed over Arsenal in midweek, as Alex Greenwood, Esme Morgan and Beckie were restored to the starting XI.
Roebuck took her place in goal, shielded by a backline of Greenwood, Bonner, captain Houghton and Morgan.
Notching her 150th appearance for the Club on Thursday night, Keira Walsh protected the back four, sat in behind Caroline Weir and Mewis, while Kelly and Beckie were employed on the wings, flanking striker White.
With a comfortable second half lead, Taylor introduced Lavelle, Jess Park, Demi Stokes and Jill Scott.
Player of the Match
Aside from her worldie effort, Kelly was at the heart of City’s best attacking moves and was unfortunate not to have bagged a hat-trick.
The youngster has settled in seamlessly to life at City and has found her scoring touch at an excellent time.
Stat attack
Taylor’s side continue our 100% record against Spurs with three wins from three - two in the WSL and one in the FA Cup.
City have netted eleven goals against the North Londoners, conceding just twice.
With two goals each, White and Lauren Hemp are our top scorers in the fixture.
Up next…
City kick-off our Continental Cup campaign with the group stage visit of Everton on Wednesday 7 October (7pm).
Taylor’s side then travel to title rivals Chelsea in the WSL on Sunday 11 October in a 2:30pm kick-off.
