Manchester City Women parked their Champions League disappointment at the door as they brushed aside Spurs 3-0 on their travels to make it a record 12 consecutive WSL victories.
City took over Barcelona during the week but a 2-1 victory was not enough to turn around their 3-0 deficit from the first stage. Gareth Taylor’s team were about to take their frustrations against Tottenham and had the lead within five minutes when a Chloe Kelly corner caused chaos and found itself past Rebecca Spencer.
Spurs went on the title drivers with especially Rachel Williams who looks lively, but the difference in quality was clear. The game ended practically just before half time when Sam Mewis found Janine Beckie with a wonderful consistent ball.
? @janinebeckie slots it home! #BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/8CLgVepG09
– Barclays FA Super League for Women (@BarclaysFAWSL) April 4, 2021
The forward paid her back with a cool finish and City took a comfortable lead at the break.
The second half was pretty routine stuff from the visitors, and they were able to add a third before a change of pace knocked the pace out of the game. The creative Beckie sent in a ball from the left, so that Kelly could turn it into Caroline Weir’s way – and well, you know the rest.
Enough of all this, let’s go into some player ratings.
Spurs goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer handles a corner | Tom Dulat / Getty Images
Rebecca Spencer (GK) – 6/10 – Great save for denying Mewis early but disappeared in the resulting corner that led to City’s opener. Called for a couple of fantastic stops during the second half.
Esther Morgan (RB) – 5/10 – The young man looked into the depths on a few occasions and was terrorized by Beckie and the overlapping Esme Morgan.
Abbie McManus (CB) – 5/10 – Do not want to see a replay of the third goal anyway. Not terrible but will have better games.
Shelina Zadorsky (CB) – 6/10 – Stood up against Ellen White and stayed in an exciting testament battle.
Siri Worm (LB) – 5/10 – Fairly uneventful first half before it was withdrawn at the break.
Alanna Kennedy fights Chloe Kelly | Tom Dulat / Getty Images
So-Hyun Cho (CM) – 5/10 – Caught closing his eyes on the ball once or twice and struggled to force his way into the game as City largely dominated the midfield battle. Canceled for final 25.
Alanna Kennedy (CM) – 7/10 – Brought some peace and control to a Spurs midfielder who desperately lacked it otherwise.
Kit Graham (CM) – 6/10 – Showed a certain intention to get ahead but the game seemed to circumvent her under long spells.
Rachel Williams receives Abby Dahlkemper | Tom Dulat / Getty Images
Lucy Quinn (FW) – 4/10 – Lack of delivery from midfield meant that she was barely in the game before she was pulled down in the second half. Sacrificed for a change of form.
Rachel Williams (FW) – 6/10 – Doing well and made himself an inconvenience for the city center backs when Spurs came up the pitch. Subbed for final 20. Rianna Dean (FW) – 5/10 – It was not possible to get any change from the City back line, neither from the outside nor in the center when the game continued. Lively and diligent but lacks end product.
67 – Rehanne makes a triple change.
➡️ @ JosieGreen_➡️ @ Angelaaddison_➡️ @rosella_ayane
⬅️ @ Cho8Sohyun ⬅️ @ LucyQuinn7⬅️ @ rach_williams8
⚪ #THWFC 0-3 # MCWFC?
– Tottenham Hotspur Women (@SpursWomen) April 4, 2021
Kerys Harop (Worm, 46) – 6/10
Josie Green (Cho, 67) – 5/10
Angela Addison (Quinn, 67) – 5/10
Rosella Ayane (Williams, 67) – 5/10
Aiofe Mannion cleans under pressure from Kit Graham | Tom Dulat / Getty Images
Ellie Roebuck (GK) – 6/10 – Very quiet day in the office when the four in front of her dropped almost nothing.
Georgia Stanway (RB) – 6/10 – Would clearly rather be further up the pitch but looked like a skilled right-back in the absence of Lucy Bronze.
Aoife Mannion (CB) – 6/10 – Named as a late change to the side after Alex Greenwood hit a warm-up. She’s not Steph Houghton but she looked capable.
Abby Dahlkemper (CB) – 8/10 – You should not pass.
Esme Morgan (LB) – 7/10 – Went up and down the left flank well and created a couple of chances with her crossings.
Quietly slotted home by @itscarolineweir! #BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/kY9Pq1nirz
– Barclays FA Super League for Women (@BarclaysFAWSL) April 4, 2021
Caroline Weir (CM) – 8/10 – Saw plenty of ball and dictated play in the final third. Coolly hid the third goal, because she did of course.
Keira Walsh (CM) – 6/10 – Quietest of City’s midfield three but showed some quick thinking and a large number of passes – especially in the later stages when Spurs got tired.
Sam Mewis (CM) – 7/10 – Recorded one of the season’s best assists with a longtime defender for City’s second goal. Started both legs against Barcelona, then got a well-deserved rest for the last half hour.
Chloe Kelly competes past Kerys Harrop | Tom Dulat / Getty Images
Chloe Kelly (FW) – 8/10 – Looked like a real threat with her dribbling from the right flank and causing problems with her blind spots, which created the opening goal with an evil swinging corner.
Ellen White (FW) – 6/10 – Her 50th appearance for the club was functional, if not explosive. Rested the last half hour.
Janine Beckie (FW) – 7/10 – Granted lots of freedom and made the best of it with a composed finish for the second goal and a pre-assist (if that’s one thing?) For the third.
63. CITY CUB | Double change for City:
? @roselavelle replaces @ ellsbells89? @ lauracoombs91 is on for @sammymewy
⚪️ 0-3 ⚫️ #ManCity | https://t.co/HkTzfLv0HJ pic.twitter.com/hxh8VYYu6n
– Man City Women (@ManCityWomen) April 4, 2021
Laura Coombs (Vit, 63) – 6/10
Rose Lavelle (Mewis, 63) – 7/10
Lauren Hemp (Kelly, 81) – N / A
