West Ham United jumped two places off the bottom of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League after netting five first-half goals at Reading.
Kenza Dali’s ball into the box flew straight into the net, as the Hammers began building a three-goal lead inside a dozen minutes.
Katarina Svitková doubled the lead when heading in a Kate Langhurst cross and moments later, Martha Thomas took a pass from Dali and lobbed it over Grace Moloney into the net.
Thomas scored twice more for a first-half hat-trick, with assists from Cecilie Redisch Kvamme and Dali, as the Hammers carved through the Royals defence.
Reading improved after the break, as Rachel Rowe forced a tip over by Courtney Brosnan and Fara Williams hit the bar from a free kick, but it was a massive 5-0 win for the Hammers in their fight against relegation.
The result sent Aston Villa to the foot of the table but with game now in hand on West Ham, while Bristol City are only one point better off from two games more than Villa.
Vitality #WomensFACup: Three rounds in as many weeks starts this Sunday
