Manchester City beat Everton 2-1 on the Joie Stadium to maneuver above Chelsea on the prime of the Women’s Super League desk.
Goals from Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw – her fifteenth of the WSL season – and Lauren Hemp put Gareth Taylor’s facet right into a 2-0 lead earlier than Hanna Bennison’s stunner halved the deficit for Everton.
The end result strikes City three factors away from champions Chelsea, who can regain prime spot after they journey to Leicester on Sunday night, reside on Sky Sports. Everton keep ninth.
All the targets…
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Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw put Man City forward after pouncing on a defensive mistake
How Man City continued WSL title cost
City’s quest to make it 12 consecutive victories in all competitions began properly and the opening purpose could not have come any simpler as Shaw pounced on Justine Vanhaevermaet’s mistimed again move earlier than firing previous Courtney Brosnan within the fifteenth minute.
City, who registered 22 pictures to Everton’s 5 and completed the sport with 71 per cent possession, had been dominant all through however maybe barely lucky to enter the break forward as Rikke Madsen did not capitalise when gifted the ball by City goalkeeper Khiara Keating seconds earlier than half-time.
The Toffees improved in the beginning of the second half and virtually equalised by way of substitute Martina Piemonte, whose shut-vary effort produced an outstanding response save from Keating, however they quickly discovered themselves two targets behind.
Hemp picked up the ball on the proper-hand facet and drove on the Everton defence earlier than curling an beautiful left-footed strike previous the outstretched hand of Brosnan from the sting of the realm (55).
City seemed set to kick on however Bennison diminished the hosts’ lead and gave Everton hope when her sensational effort from distance cannoned off the crossbar and into the web (60).
It arrange what may have been a nervy end, however City noticed out the remainder of the sport comfortably to place strain on Chelsea on the prime of the desk forward of the champions’ journey to Leicester on Sunday.
With simply seven video games remaining for Taylor’s staff, perception is rising that they will win their first WSL title since 2016.
Taylor: Three factors key at this stage of season
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Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor thought his facet had been ‘fairly snug’ as they beat Everton to go prime of the Women’s Super League
Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor talking to Sky Sports: “All we can do is what we do. We’ve always tried to concentrate on what we do.
“It was actually troublesome dropping 24 hours. This sport was initially Sunday and that is occurred the final two worldwide breaks now. We’ve needed to come again and play early Saturday.
“It was really important that we got the result, similar to the last one where we beat Villa 2-1. At this stage of the season, three points are really key.
“I assumed we had been fairly snug. They needed to rating a particular purpose. The margins are tight. I’m not going to disclaim you wish to see it over the road however we now have performed that basically properly this season. Seeing the video games out, we have been actually good in that area.”
Sorensen: Everton stepped up
Everton boss Brian Sorensen speaking to Sky Sports: “I’m pleased with the women. I’m proud that the women stepped up and made a sport of it.
“We could have grabbed something at the end if we had a bit of coolness, but overall they had the bigger chances and the ball the most so it’s fair enough that they win.
“But I’m proud that we performed towards such a superb staff with out a centre-again and we did pretty much as good as we may.”
What’s subsequent?
Manchester City host Chelsea within the League Cup semi-finals on Thursday at 7.15pm earlier than travelling to Tottenham within the quarter-finals of the FA Cup at 3pm subsequent Sunday.
Up subsequent for Everton is a house FA Cup quarter-last towards Chelsea at 1pm on Sunday. They then return to Women’s Super League motion on March 16 after they host Aston Villa at 1pm.
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