Manchester City 5-0 West Ham: City cruise to victory to go top of Women's Super League
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Man City cruise past West Ham to win 13th in a row
Manchester City moved top of the Women's Super League as they cruised past West Ham to win their 13th league game in a row.
City enjoyed a dream start as they surged into a two-goal lead after just three minutes, with Leila Ouahabi turning a Jess Park cut-back past Mackenzie Arnold, before Khadija Shaw fired in on the half-volley after chesting down a Lauren Hemp delivery.
The Jamaican striker headed home her second from Hemp cross in the 24th minute but her impressive first half was soured when she had to be substituted at the break.
Shaw spent the second half sitting on the bench wearing a protective boot.
January signing Laura Blindkilde Brown scored her first goal for City when she turned home a loose ball with nine minutes left before Park scored from the edge of the box to round off a dominant performance.
Victory means City sit three points ahead of Chelsea having played a game more and will likely remain at the top until their rivals - who have had two games rearranged due to their Champions League participation - complete their games in hand.
Man City's Ouahabi scores after just 24 seconds
Impressive start guides City to victory
Their early lead gave City the freedom to play creative football in the final third and they were relentless in trying cut through the West Ham defence.
Such was the space they were given that Shaw attempted backheels in the West Ham box, Hemp produced a Cruyff turn and others tried efforts from distance.
Park, who was instrumental in the build-up to the first goal and was rewarded with her side's fifth, excelled with the freedom she was given as she charged at defenders and carved out openings with her talented dribbling.
'Man City flying!' - Shaw scores second inside three minutes
On the other wing, Hemp grasped the chance to run through the West Ham defence as City's passing play stretched their back line.
City sustained their pressure as they enjoyed most of the possession and searched for more goals to aid them in their quest to beat Chelsea's goal difference at the top of the table.
If both City and Chelsea win their remaining games then the title race will come down to goal difference - and City's is now three better, albeit having played an extra match.
City's continual attacking gave West Ham chances to try and dent the scoreline - with Riko Ueki and Viviane Asseyi both hitting the woodwork - but mounting a comeback was always unlikely.
Victory for West Ham would have secured top-flight safety, but it is still likely only a matter of time until they mathematically avoid the drop as they are seven points ahead of bottom club Bristol City.