City put five past Chelsea to extend WSL lead

Manchester City laid down a marker to the rest of the Barclays Women’s Super League with a magnificent 5-1 victory over reigning champions Chelsea.

Kerolin’s first City hat-trick underpinned the success, with her second a particularly delightful dinked finish over Hannah Hampton, while Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw also found the net before the break.

Alyssa Thompson pulled one back for Chelsea with around 25 to play, only for Vivianne Miedema to flick home a fifth for the Blues from a corner.

Our 13th WSL win in a row moves City 12 points clear of the reigning WSL champions and 11 ahead of second-placed Manchester United.

What happened

One of the most hotly anticipated ties in the WSL this season, City delivered on the big stage to send a huge statement to the rest of the league.

Chelsea came into the tie with the WSL’s best defensive record, but City would get our noses in front within 13 minutes when Kerolin’s deflected effort following a corner squeezed home beyond Hannah Hampton.

The visitors responded defiantly and had the ball in the net soon after when Wieke Kaptein headed under Ayaka Yamashita, only for the offside flag to cut their celebrations short.

The visitors continued to press hard for an equaliser as the half hour approached, with Sandy Baltimore, Keira Walsh and Erin Cuthbert all going close, but City would double our advantage soon after.

Chelsea surrendered possession cheaply just inside their own half, with Shaw finishing off Miedema’s pass in behind after outmuscling Naomi Girma to the ball and firing into the ground over Hampton.

A third would follow soon after the restart as Lauren Hemp released Kerolin in behind on the counter, with the Brazilian sending a delightful chip over Hampton.

Chelsea, so often the ones to spoil the City party, simply didn’t have an answer, with Hemp squaring for Kerolin to complete her hat-trick before the hour mark, becoming the first player to score a treble against the reigning WSL champions.

The visitors had a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit when Kaptein picked up play after a slip from Laura Blindkilde Brown but, with the goal gaping, she fired over.

Sonia Bompastor’s side would get themselves on the scoresheet though with around 20 to play when Thompson found the bottom corner after working the space well on the edge of the area.

Any fears of an unlikely comeback were dispelled soon after as Miedema flicked home Casparij’s corner at the near post to restore our four-goal lead.

A devastating display from the Blues, and one that is sure to reverberate around the WSL as the business end of the season approaches.

Clinical City

Andrée Jeglertz had praised City’s League Cup semi-final performance against Chelsea in January but admitted we hadn’t taken our chances to make that pressure count.

It was a different story at the Etihad, with City going in two goals to the good despite the visitors boasting 57% possession and six shots compared to the Blues’ four.

The visitors continued to huff and puff early in the second 45, but Kerolin’s second of the game knocked the stuffing out of Sonia Bompastor’s side.

Joga Bonito

So often the player for the big occasion, Kerolin once again stepped up to deliver a phenomenal display.

Her second strike in particular showed the incredible confidence she’s playing with, as well as the typical industry of the irrepressible Hemp.

A scooped finish over one of the world’s best goalkeepers? Who else but City’s own brilliant Brazilian.

Fowler’s return

Mary Fowler’s return to action after an ACL rupture in April 2025 was the icing on top of a phenomenal City cake at the Etihad Stadium.

The Australian entered the action with 15 to play and looked more than at home in a centre-forward role.

A player of her versatility will surely thrive under the attacking freedom Jeglertz has given his team so far during his tenure.

How we lined up

City XI: Yamashita, Rose, Knaak, Greenwood (C) (Ouahabi 90+10’), Casparij, Blindkilde Brown (Coffey 64’) Hasegawa, Hemp, Kerolin (Fujino 64’) (Coombs 90+2’), Miedema (Clinton 75’), Shaw (Fowler 75’).

Subs: Keating, Beney, Prior.

Chelsea XI: Hampton, Carpenter, Bright (C), Buurman (Kerr 51’), Cuthbert (Nusken 51), James (Rytting Kaneryd 64’), Thompson, Girma, Baltimore, Kaptein, Walsh (Beever-Jones 74’)

Subs: Spencer, Peng, Reiten, Potter, Sarwie