Bristol City suffered relegation from the Women’s Super League after a 4-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday evening while the title contenders remained top of the league table six points clear of Chelsea, having played two games more.
Mary Fowler's thunderous strike in the second-half broke a stubborn deadlock and the Australia international supplied the second from Lauren Hemp's cross 15 minutes from time. The hosts' suffering was compounded minutes later as Amy Rodgers stabbed home into her own net to give their opponents a three-goal lead before Alex Greenwood added a fourth late in injury time.
The Vixens, promoted from the Women’s Championship last season and returning to the top-flight after a two-year absence, required victory over City to keep their hopes of remaining in the WSL alive, a feat which looked daunting in the face of their record of zero home wins thus far this season. Meanwhile, anything but victory for City could pave the way for title rivals Chelsea to claim a fifth league title on the trot.
City were without star striker Khadija Shaw who suffered a season-ending ankle injury last weekend against West Ham United. England star Chloe Kelly took up the conspicuous gap left behind by Shaw and the forward showed bright signs as she combined with Fowler and Hemp on either side of her, while Jess Park was full of energy in the centre of the park.
Yet, the chances created were never more than half convincing. Shaw's absence was partially to blame, though Bristol City were resolute and compact in defence and made life difficult for City who grew increasingly frustrated from their opponents' tenacity as time wore on. Indeed, keeper Shae Yáñez failed to be tested for most of the entire first half despite the visitors registering 16 shots with eight on target, compared to Bristol City’s two shots at goal and none on target.
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But where City have done well to frustrate many teams in the WSL this season, victories have been a rarity as defensive lapses and a lack of consistent goal threat have proved problematic. The Vixens failed to score in their last five league matches and managed only one league win heading into Saturday (a 3-2 victory away to West Ham United November). Meanwhile, their losses had piled to 15.
Manchester City players celebrate scoring against Bristol City (Photo by Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)Bristol City have been forced to contend with injuries to key players, as well as a limited budget compared to their rivals (City are the only club alongside Leicester City not to have the backing of a corresponding men’s Premier League team). Even so, the form could not be in starker contrast to their opponents, who were relishing a club-record 13 successive league wins to sit top of the WSL table.
To remain top, City would need to display more of the nous and edge that has seen them push reigning league champions Chelsea to this point. Without Shaw, City's attack look predictably blunted but the chances missed piled remarkably high as the second-half got under way, this time Kelly pushed back out wide and Fowler moved into the middle.
Lauren Hemp supplied Mary Fowler with her second goal (Photo by Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)The re-jig proved prescient. Fowler allowed her teammates to play off her and, after teeing up Hemp at the back post and seeing Laia Alexandri bundle a header out of play, it was a moment of individual brilliance from Fowler in the 62nd minute that finally gave Manchester City the lead their dominance warranted. The 21-year-old collected the ball on the half turn and after no defender engaged with her, cracked a rocket into the top corner.
For Bristol City, it was relegation confirmed unless something changed soon. But Manchester City's need to increase their goal difference amid their title race with Chelsea meant Taylor's side showed no signs of letting up.
They very nearly doubled their advantage just a minute later as Hemp latched onto Kelly's cross but her effort skimmed the post. But eventually a second goal arrived as Fowler knocked in Hemp's cross to double their advantage with a great show of skill. An own goal from Rodgers swiftly followed and put any hope of a comeback out of reach for the hosts. Greenwood added the gloss to the victory with a fourth, which keeps Manchester City firmly in the driving seat in the title race as they continue to augment their goal difference.
Crystal Palace won promotion from the Women's Championship earlier in the day and the Eagles will take place the Vixens place in the league next season.
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