No contest at the top: City go 12 points clear with win over Chelsea | OneFootball

Manchester City went 12 points clear in a six goal thriller against title holders Chelsea. A hat trick from Kerolin alongside goals from Bunny Shaw and Vivianner Miedema give City a comfortable lead with just eight league games remaining.

Starting XI’s

Manchester City

Yamashita; Casparij, Rose, Knaak, Greenwood, Blindkilde-Brown, Hasegawa, Kerolin, Miedema, Hemp, Shaw

Chelsea

Hampton; Carpenter, Girma, Bright, Walsh, Kaptein, Cuthbert, Buurman, Baltimore, James, Thompson

How it went

Manchester City undoubtedly had the brighter start, with Kerolin causing headaches for the visitors almost from the off. It was the City No.14 who broke the deadlock, slamming the ball home from the edge of the area in the 13th minute. The 17th minute saw Chelsea equalise through Wieke Kaptein, however the No.18’s goal was quickly ruled offside. Two heroic saves from Ayaka Yamashita kept the hosts in the lead with Bunny Shaw doubling City’s lead in the 35th minute. The forward slotted the ball beyond Hannah Hampton to give City a comfortable lead heading into the break.

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Chelsea enjoyed the better start to the second half, pushing their opponents further up the pitch. It took just four minutes though for City to extend their lead with Kerolin snatching her brace for the afternoon. The goal marked the Brazilian international’s eighth goal contribution in just six league appearances. The 54th minute saw Kerolin bag her hat trick, capitalising on a moment of defensive weakness in the box. Trailing by four goals, Chelsea appeared lifeless with every pass finding a Sky Blue shirt.

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The 68th minute saw the visitors pull a goal back through Alyssa Thompson. The No.12 fired the ball into the back of the net from almost 18 yards out. A goal from Vivianne Miedema restored City’s lead as the No.10 headed the ball home for City’s fifth of the afternoon.

The game then saw the return of Mary Fowler, the No.8 had been absent from the City line up since April 2025 after rupturing her ACL. An injury to Aoba Fujino saw an extended stoppage as the No.20 required extensive treatment following a heavy collision in the box. The remainder of the match passed with half chances for both sides however neither team was able to add to the scoreline despite an additional 12 minutes of injury time.

Up next

Manchester City will take on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium before welcoming Leicester to the Joie Stadium. The Sky Blues will then host Sheffield United in the FA Cup round of 16.

Chelsea will travel to face Tottenham, ahead of three home fixtures. The Blues will first face Liverpool in the league before taking on Manchester United in the FA Cup before returning to league action against Brighton.

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