Manchester City Women vs West Ham United Women. Women's Super League.
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Match report and highlights as Man City thrash West Ham United 6-2 in WSL; Chloe Kelly, with an early double, Laura Coombs, Bunny Shaw, Steph Houghton and Mary Fowler also on target for hosts; Emma Snerle and Lisa Evans net consolations for visitors; City go second, West Ham are eighth
Monday 24 April 2023 06:54, UK
Chloe Kelly's early quickfire double sent Man City on the way to a comprehensive 6-2 win over West Ham United at the City Football Academy, a result that lifted Gareth Taylor's side up to second in the Women's Super League.
Kelly struck twice inside the opening seven minutes, before Emma Snerle pulled a goal back for the visitors just five minutes later.
However, Laura Coombs restored the hosts' two-goal lead with a neat header midway through the first half, before City struck three more times after half-time.
WSL top-scorer Bunny Shaw scored her 28th of the season just past the hour mark, skipper Steph Houghton soon tapped in a fifth on her 35th birthday and substitute Mary Fowler completed the scoring with eight minutes to go as City recorded their biggest win of the season to go three points behind rivals Man Utd, albeit having played two games more than champions Chelsea a further point behind.
Meanwhile, West Ham, who did manage another consolation goal via Lisa Evans' 72nd-minute effort, stay in eighth place after remaining winless in 2023.
Kelly sent a reminder to England manager Sarina Wiegman with this eye-catching display that proved too hot for the Hammers to handle, including two goals in the space of just 65 seconds to blow the game open at the start.
The first came after a West Ham error at the back, although Kelly still had work to do to find the back of the net from outside the area, while her second also came from distance with a low finish into the bottom corner.
It was raining goals in the opening exchanges, with Snerle soon pulling a goal back with another shot from outside the box, only for Coombs to put her side back in control when she headed in Lauren Hemp's inviting cross with just 25 minutes played.
That was the end of the first-half goals, before the league's top scorer inevitably got in on the act as Shaw rifled home a fourth after 62 minutes, with Houghton converting from close range three minutes later.
Both teams continued to attack in a barnstorming, end-to-end clash, with Evans then making it 5-2, albeit with some help from the unfortunate City No 1 Khiara Keating, only for Fowler to round off the scoring with her first WSL goal.
Only a combination of brilliant goalkeeping from Mackenzie Arnold and some rare poor finishing from Kelly denied the England international a deserved hat-trick late on.
Sky Sports' Charlotte Marsh:
"Heading into Sunday's game, Kelly had not scored in six WSL games. Man City too were struggling for goalscorers other than Shaw, who has sometimes single-handedly fired her team to victory.
"As Sky Sports pundit Karen Carney and Kelly Smith pointed out, Man City must spread the load of goals should Shaw be injured but also bump up their goal difference in the closest of title races.
"We have seen Kelly perform under pressure before - Euro 2022 final and Finalissima anyone? - and with the heat on Man City on Sunday to get a result, the winger stepped up the mark.
"Two superb goals, an assist and a well-deserved player-of-the-match award later, Kelly was the star for Man City. She could be finding her goal-involvement boots at the perfect time as Gareth Taylor's side continue to push their rivals for the WSL title.
"After a tough few days for England too, this will bring some blessed relief for Sarina Wiegman. She will need her dangerous wingers in peak condition heading into the World Cup and able to unlock stubborn defences who will have those wide areas picked out as the Lionesses' areas of threat.
"As Sky Sports' Carney said after the game: 'In the wide areas, England are really blessed. We see (Lauren) Hemp on the other flank, Lauren James, Katie Robinson is another player coming through.
"'We need them to be on form because we understand England have got some defensive problems at the moment.
"'Sometimes the best way to defend is to have the ball and keep it in high areas away from your own defensive third.
"'Kelly is a European champion and not shy in stepping up to the big moments. Fingers crossed, this summer she can deliver more. It's great that she's hungry because you have to be to win competitions.'
"Man City and England will need to win all of their respective upcoming games to stand the chance of winning silverware. If Kelly can continue to be the reliable goal creator they need, it could be an unforgettable few months for the winger."
Analysis from Kelly Smith on Sky Sports:
"West Ham looked a threat on the counter-attack and just had a lack of finishing in and around the area.
"Man City had four different scorers today which was good because they have been very reliant on Bunny Shaw all season.
"If she goes down injured, you need other players to pop up and keep them in this title race.
"It's 17 home games unbeaten, this place is a fortress for them and they'll need that for the remainder of the season."
Analysis from Sky Sports' Karen Carney:
"City came to the party today and delivered with six fantastic goal.
"Kelly was undoubtedly player of the match with two goals and an assist. She looks ecstatic and rightly so, it was a really good performance."
"They needed a win today and they've done that. Man Utd still lead the way and Chelsea and Arsenal have games in hand.
"They're doing all their can and game by game, they're doing all they can."
Man City boss Gareth Taylor:
"All of the games are now so important between now and the end of the season, there is no margin for error. Five games before [Sunday's match] and we had to make sure we won every one of those. And whatever happens elsewhere happens.
"But we had to take care of our own business and win the two home games we had and we have taken care of this one and managed to improve our a goal difference a bit and now we look forward to next week's game.
"We know we are the most creative team in the league, but our execution is not great. But if we show more composure, we will score more goals."
West Ham boss Paul Konchesky:
"We gave them two sloppy goals and once you come here and give them a goal, it is always going to be a mountain to climb. But to give them the first two is not good enough.
"We created some good chances and had some good spells in the first half, but giving two goals away early is always going to be a mountain to climb.
"And when you concede another before half-time, it is always going to be tough to get the girls up and going again."
Man City goalscorer Chloe Kelly to Sky Sports:
"It's a great result for us. Scoring goals is what we want to do to get our goal difference up and we did just that tonight.
"I was confident in front of goal so I tried my luck as much as I could. I just try and be a pest for them [the opposition] and do all I can for the team.
"With the first one, the goalkeeper's position made my mind up to take it early. She was off her line a bit.
"The second one, I saw that the 'keeper wasn't really set so I just hit it early and low first time because we've been working for that.
"I've got so much to learn, I'm excited for the future and I'm doing just that playing with such good players and a great manager, who I'm learning a lot from.
"I'm hungry to learn more and keep providing more for the team.
"My positioning in the box is really important. As a forward, you want to be in the right position at the right time and sometimes, I'm just off that and I can be better.
"We're working on that in training, and just being more clinical in and around the box.
"I'm pleased with the performance but there's still a lot to learn."
City host Reading, while West Ham travel to Brighton & Hove Albion, with both WSL fixtures kicking off at 2pm on Sunday May 7.
