Manchester City thrashed a depleted Bristol City side upset that their Women’s Super League match went ahead despite them missing five first-team players because of Covid-19.
Bristol City boss Tanya Oxtoby said the game should not have been played because of safety concerns.
The visitors started impressively and Ebony Salmon’s strike made it 1-1 after Sophie Baggaley’s own goal.
But Laura Coombs hit the hosts’ second on 39 minutes and they romped home.
England midfielder Keira Walsh grabbed the third goal with a fine strike from outside the box and a low Lucy Bronze shot following good work by Walsh ensured a 4-1 interval lead at Academy Stadium.
The home dominance continued against a tiring Bristol City, with Bronze teeing up a close-range fifth for Georgia Stanway.
Ellen White slid in the home side’s sixth goal after some good approach play from substitute Jill Scott and White laid on a close-range seventh for Janine Beckie, who became City’s eighth different goalscorer of the afternoon.
White then grabbed her second of the game, scoring from six yards to wrap up a win which is Manchester City’s record league victory and takes them up to fourth place, a point above a Chelsea side who have two games in hand.
Bristol City put in ‘awkward position’
Oxtoby had said prior to kick-off the game should have been postponed.
“I am really disappointed and upset for the staff and players,” she said. “Our job is to try to keep them safe and I feel like we have been put in a really awkward position.”
A Bristol City statement said: “One player developed Covid-19 symptoms overnight and, as a result of players living in shared housing, Charlie Wellings, Gemma Evans, Ella Mastrantonio, Abi Harrison and Meaghan Sargeant are now isolating.
“Four of the isolating players were part of the squad for City’s Continental Cup tie at Crystal Palace on Thursday evening and the club has expressed concerns to the FA over the health risk of players from City and Manchester City at playing another game within 48 hours.
“The FA has directed that this afternoon’s game should go ahead and Bristol City has accordingly drafted in players from the club’s academy.”
Line-ups
Man City Women
- 26Roebuck
- 20BronzeSubstituted forMorganat 67′minutes
- 6Houghton
- 4Bonner
- 27Greenwood
- 22MewisSubstituted forScottat 57′minutes
- 24WalshSubstituted forWeirat 67′minutes
- 7Coombs
- 9KellySubstituted forBeckieat 56′minutes
- 18White
- 10StanwaySubstituted forLavelleat 67′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Bardsley
- 8Scott
- 11Beckie
- 14Morgan
- 16Park
- 19Weir
- 21Lavelle
Bristol City Women
- 22Baggaley
- 10Daniels
- 12Allen
- 4Matthews
- 25Layzell
- 23Purfield
- 6Logarzo
- 8Humphrey
- 5RaffertySubstituted forWilsonat 76′minutes
- 17BissellSubstituted forJonesat 68′minutes
- 9Salmon
Substitutes
- 13Haland
- 18Collis
- 19Cook
- 20Wilson
- 28Jones
- Referee:
- Christiana Hattersley
Live Text
-
Match ends, Manchester City Women 8, Bristol City Women 1.
-
Second Half ends, Manchester City Women 8, Bristol City Women 1.
-
Attempt saved. Ellen White (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
-
Corner, Manchester City Women. Conceded by Jemma Purfield.
-
Alex Greenwood (Manchester City Women) hits the left post with a left footed shot from outside the box following a set piece situation.
-
Jill Scott (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.
-
Foul by Georgia Wilson (Bristol City Women).
-
Alex Greenwood (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
-
Foul by Ellen Jones (Bristol City Women).
-
Corner, Bristol City Women. Conceded by Stephanie Houghton.
-
Attempt missed. Ebony Salmon (Bristol City Women) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Flo Allen.
-
Goal! Manchester City Women 8, Bristol City Women 1. Ellen White (Manchester City Women) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Alex Greenwood.
-
Corner, Manchester City Women. Conceded by Jemma Purfield.
-
Offside, Manchester City Women. Laura Coombs tries a through ball, but Rose Lavelle is caught offside.
-
Goal! Manchester City Women 7, Bristol City Women 1. Janine Beckie (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ellen White following a fast break.
-
Substitution, Bristol City Women. Georgia Wilson replaces Laura Rafferty.
-
Attempt missed. Alex Greenwood (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Janine Beckie.
-
Corner, Manchester City Women. Conceded by Yana Daniels.
-
Alex Greenwood (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
-
Foul by Chloe Logarzo (Bristol City Women).
Source link