Manchester City ran out 7-2 winners over Brighton & Hove Albion to go third in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League.
The result from Manchester City’s game in hand on Manchester United took the Cityzens above them into the third Champions League place, ahead of the Red Devils game with West Ham on Sunday.
City rushed into a 3-0 lead in only a quarter of an hour, Demi Stokes played in Khadija Shaw to slot home, the Jamaican international doubling the lead from a Lucy Bronze cut-back and then forcing a save by Megan Walsh, Caroline Weir knocking in the rebound.
Albion replied from Inessa Kaagman’s 20th minute penalty, given for Keira Walsh’s foul on Lee Geum-Min.
Despite a number of chances going begging for the hosts, the visitors reduced the arrears to 3-2 before the break with a fine first-time Julia Zigiotti finish from Lee’s pass.
Seconds after Ellie Roebuck had to tip a Zigiotti volley over the bar, Walsh sent Shaw away to complete her hat-trick.
Khadija quickly added her fourth of the day, directing Lauren Hemp’s cross into the roof of the net to make it 5-2.
Two more quick goals came as Chloe Kelly headed home an Alex Greenwood corner and Weir found Hemp who netted from a tight angle.
