Manchester City keep title hopes on track with routine victory over West Ham United | OneFootball

Manchester City have kept their title hopes on track with a 5-0 victory over West Ham United at The Joie Stadium this afternoon.

The Cityzens established a two-goal advantage after just three minutes thanks to goals from Leila Ouahabi and Khadija Shaw. Jamaican international Shaw was able to add a further goal later in the first half before Laura Blindkilde Brown and Jess Park were on target for The Cityzens in the second period.

Manchester City started the game at 100 miles an hour and Ouahabi fired home the opener after just 24 seconds when she connected with a Park cross.

The Cityzens were two goals up just two minutes later when Shaw rifled in from a Lauren Hemp delivery.

Shaw wasn’t finished there and she headed home a third Manchester City goal midway through the first half with Hemp again providing an assist.

West Ham United eventually composed themselves and only a superb save from home keeper Khiara Keating denied Viviane Asseyi from pulling a goal back.

In first half stoppage time, The Hammers went close again. Rico Ueki’s shot was blocked before Jess Ziu saw a thunderous effort cannon off the crossbar. Rehanne Skinner’s side then had goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold to thank for keeping the scoreline at 3-0 when she pushed a Park shot to safety.

Manchester City’s first half was almost perfect, however, Shaw left the field with an injury and was replaced by Chloe Kelly at the interval.

West Ham United again provided a goal threat in the second half and they twice struck the woodwork in the opening stages. Asseyi first curled a shot off the far post before Ueki saw an effort shave the top of the crossbar. Ueki then went closer still when she was played through on goal but Keating was able to gather her shot.

Manchester City enjoyed plenty of the ball but they were struggling to significantly test Arnold in the West Ham United goal. Alanna Kennedy got a free-kick on target but her international teammate was able to push the ball to safety.

The Cityzens finally added to their lead eight minutes from time. Mary Fowler’s shot was blocked by Arnold but Blindkilde Brown thumped the loose ball into the top corner of the net.

There was time for one more goal. Park capped her own good performance off by beating Arnold with a powerful shot with four minutes remaining to complete a 5-0 rout.

This afternoon’s result means that Manchester City go three points clear of Chelsea at the top of the Barclays Women’s Super League table once again. The Blues have a game-in-hand. West Ham United remain in 11th place.