Manchester City Women Go Top With Win

Manchester City women made it four wins from four after beating Birmingham Women 3-0. Goals from Keira Walsh, Tessa Wullaert and Lee Geum-Min sent the blues to the WSL summit, although Arsenal women now have a game in hand.

The blues needed to win in order to keep up with the Gunners, who themselves have won their opening three fixtures, and a home match against the struggling visitors, who have failed to score a single goal so far this season, gave the blues that opportunity.

But the blues initially made hard work for themselves, spurning a couple of good opportunities before the opening goal. Janine Beckie was played through after a defence splitting pass. Beckie was again through on goal from a magnificent pass by Lauren Hemp, but a one on one with the keeper ended in a victory for Hannah Hampton, who got a hand to Beckie’s shot to push it wide for a corner.

It was only a temporary reprieve though as the visitors failed to clear a corner, with the ball eventually arriving at the feet of Walsh, whose shot from outside the penalty area deflected past Hampton to make it 1-0 to City. In fairness to Hampton, although it took a deflection, she did manage to get a hand to it but could do nothing but help guide it home.

The blues were a lot more lively in the second half and almost increased the lead within moments of the restart as Hemp met Jill Scott’s teasing cross, but her first time shot hit the post and went behind for a goal kick.

But once again, the visitors didn’t heed the warning signs and on 48 minutes, City did make it two. Hemp’s long pass released Beckie down the right and her cross was met by the right foot of Wullaert, who fired home from close range.

Wullaert then had a chance to make it three after a misplaced pass by the visitors gave the ball to Hemp, who then released Wullaert, only for the Belgian striker to see her shot rebound off the far post.

With ten minutes remaining, City’s South Korean forward Lee scored her first goal in English football after good work again by the ever impressive Hemp. The midfielder charged down the left and delivered a cross straight into the path of the unmarked Lee, who casually side-footed home for 3-0.

City’s win could have been more emphatic had Hemp converted another chance late on. Wullaert’s cross found the midfielder again at the far post, but Hemp failed to convert for the goal her performance deserved.

It was another impressive performance by the blues, who have scored seven goals in four games and are yet to concede in the league this season, and all eyes now turn to London as champions Arsenal make the short trip across the capital to face Chelsea, before the top two clash on 27^th October when the blues travel to Arsenal.

Final Score: Manchester City Women 3-0 Birmingham City Women

Scorers: Walsh (27), Wullaert (48) Lee (80)