Blues' winning streak continues with London City Lionesses triumph | OneFootball

Manchester City extended our winning run to four matches with an excellent 4-1 Barclays Women's Super League win over London City Lionesses.

Vivianne Miedema headed in the opener before Laura Blindkilde Brown doubled the Blues’ advantage inside 14 minutes to cap off an incredible start for the hosts.

Nikita Parris halved the deficit soon after as the visitors grew into the game, but the momentum swung back City's way when Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw scored from the penalty spot after the hour mark.

And the Jamaican doubled her tally for the afternoon with another spot kick as stoppage time approached to set the seal on an impressive victory.

What happened

Our opponents came into the tie looking for a third-straight victory in all competitions, but City started like a house on fire at the Joie Stadium.

First, a wonderfully worked team move ended with Kerstin Casparij getting to the by-line and floating an excellent cross into the path of Miedema, who squeezed a close-range header past Elene Lete inside 11 minutes.

Just three minutes later and it was two, as Blindkilde Brown picked up a loose ball and fired in through a crowd of bodies after Alex Greenwood’s initial effort had been blocked.

A frenetic start to the game continued when Parris found the net against her former club after City had surrendered possession on the edge of our box, before Shaw dragged an effort wide after cutting in on her left foot.

The visitors then almost levelled in spectacular fashion when Isobel Goodwin’s audacious long-range effort bounced just off target – an indication of how much they’d grown into the game after their goal.

And just before half-time they almost drew themselves level with Parris again causing trouble down the left only to see her effort deflect just wide from the recovering Gracie Prior.

City recovered to start the second 45 in much better fashion though, with Miedema forcing a fine save from Lete with a header before the visiting defence scrambled clear.

And as the visitors tired, the spaces started to open up. Number three would follow from the spot after a handball in the area, with Shaw stepping up to do the honours and sent Lete the wrong way.

The Blues continued to push forward though, with substitute Laura Coombs forcing a reaction stop from the London City Lionesses stopper with a vicious effort.

And our efforts were rewarded as stoppage time approached with Shaw grabbing her second and City's fourth when she once again found the net from the spot.

Expansive City

Especially in the early stages, City posed a real threat out wide with Leila Ouahabi and Casparij causing plenty of problems out wide alongside Aoba Fujino.

That endeavour down the flanks dragged the visitors all over the pitch, creating space in central areas for City to then exploit, with Casparij even assisting Miedema for our opening goal.

This system is free-flowing, exciting to watch and, game by game, it’s becoming hugely effective.

LBB delivers again

Laura Blindkilde Brown has deservedly earned plenty of plaudits for her early season performances and has provided the perfect foil for Yui Hasegawa in the engine room.

She took her goal incredibly well, steadying herself before finding a gap, but her performance was about much more than her first strike of the season.

Her energy off the ball was outstanding, with the midfielder often the one to mop up any London City Lionesses counter attacks.

Her excellent start to the season shows no signs of slowing down.

Player of the Match – Laura Blindkilde Brown

A performance full of quality and industry.

The youngster has been one of City’s star performers so far this season and deservedly added a goal to an excellent overall display.

What it means

City move up to second in the WSL for a few hours at least with a third win from our four league matches so far.

Chelsea could leapfrog us should they beat West Ham United later on Sunday afternoon.

How we lined up

CITY XI: Yamashita, Casparij, Prior, Greenwood (C), Fujino, Blindkilde Brown (Lohmann 85'), Hasegawa, Ouahabi, Miedema (Layzell 71'), Clinton (Coombs 64'), Shaw. SUBS: Keating, Rose, Wienroither, Knaak, Thomas, Adedini

LONDON CITY XI: Lete, Perez (Roddar 64'), Corrales, Kumagai (Zelem 87'), Asllani, Linari, Parris (Franssi 87'), Brown (Fernandez 75'), Goodwin, Sangare (C), Geyoro (Lindstrom 64')

SUBS: Orman, Marashi, Imuran, Kennedy

Up next

City are back at the Joie Stadium on Saturday 4 October when we face Arsenal.

The match gets under way at 12:00 (UK), with tickets available to purchase by clicking here.