Man City 5-1 Chelsea: Kerolin hat-trick sinks Blues in title statement | OneFootball

Manchester City dismantled reigning Women’s Super League champions Chelsea 5-1 to go 11 points clear of rivals United and have one hand on a first title in a decade.

Kerolin grabbed the first goal of her brilliant hat-trick before Bunny Shaw had City cruising in the first half at the Etihad Stadium.

The Brazilian grabbed two more, before Vivianne Mediema added a fifth and the Blues notched a consolation through Alyssa Thompson, but they were already beaten and now at risk of slipping out of the Champions League places.

As it happened

City took control early, the breakthrough coming in the 13th minute when Kerolin seized on hesitation in the Chelsea box after a corner and lashed a deflected half volley beyond goalkeeper Hannah Hampton to give the hosts the lead.

That goal set the tone for a performance in which City’s front line repeatedly exposed the Blues’ defensive frailties.

Chelsea briefly thought they had an equaliser soon after, with Wieke Kaptein heading in from a Lauren James cross only to be denied by an offside flag.

As the first half wore on, City’s intensity and attacking cohesion increasingly told.

A turnover in midfield allowed Vivianne Miedema to pick out Khadija “Bunny” Shaw, who powered past her marker and finished with composure to make it 2-0.

The second half opened in similar fashion. Within minutes, Kerolin was in the right place again, racing clear to chip Hampton and extend City’s advantage to 3-0.

She completed her hattrick, this time guiding a well-placed finish home from another quick City transition, rewarding a performance of sustained threat and purpose.

Chelsea finally got on the scoresheet when Alyssa Thompson struck with a powerful effort that beat City keeper Ayaka Yamashita, offering the visitors a moment of respite.

However the hosts responded almost immediately as Miedema rose unchallenged at a corner to head in City’s fifth and effectively seal the emphatic victory.

Tactically, City were superior across the pitch. Their pressing disrupted Chelsea’s build-up play, midfield control stifled attempts at sustained possession from the visitors and a fluid attacking shape created frequent overloads in dangerous areas.

The home side remained disciplined and compact at the back, neutralising Chelsea’s threats and limiting clear cut chances.

For Chelsea, the result is a jarring setback. Once dominant domestically, they now find themselves well adrift in the title race and facing questions over defensive organisation and consistency.

While their lone goal provided a brief spark, Chelsea struggled to influence proceedings for large spells against a dynamic City side that looks increasingly hungry for silverware this season.