Magnificent seven for City as they thump Villa
RUTHLESS City got their year off to a goal-den start as they brushed Aston Villa aside 7-0 in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League.
The Blues notched six first-half goals for the first time in their WSL history as they put pressure on the top three.
City, with Alan Mahon in charge as Gareth Taylor was isolating, got off to a flying start with a routine strike after two minutes.
A smart move down the right culminated with Chloe Kelly crossing for Lauren Hemp, and she couldn’t miss from inside the six-yard box.
They doubled their lead in the 17th minute. Lucy Bronze swung over a cross and Jill Scott darted in to head home. Georgia Stanway finished off another Bronze through-ball, before Hemp then headed home Kelly’s corner kick.
It was five when Villa defender Natalie Haigh bundled a Hemp cross into her own net, before Ellen White’s close-range finish made it 6-0 seconds before the interval.
Kelly got the goal she deserved after 79 minutes when she beat keeper Lisa Weiss after pouncing on a poor back-pass.
“I loved that game, and obviously all the girls put in a big shift so it’s been a good day all round,” said Hemp.
“A lot of the development players stepped up and they really made a difference I thought.”
Meanwhile, City have completed the signing of American international Abby Dahlkemper.
To follow the action and sign up for The FA Player’s live Barclays FA Women’s Super League coverage visit womenscompetitions.thefa.com