WSL round-up: City six points clear at the top, Arsenal suffer title blow

Manchester City kept up the heat on their rivals in the Women’s Super League title race with a crushing victory over Bristol City, who were relegated as a result.

And they duly delivered an emphatic 4-0 win, although they were made to work hard for it given the game was all-square at half time.

Indeed, it was not until after the hour mark when Mary Fowler finally broke the deadlock, brilliantly finding the top corner with a fierce strike.

That opened the floodgates and the 21-year-old grabbed her second of the night shortly afterwards, this time converting from Lauren Hemp’s pass.

And to rub salt into the wound, Bristol City’s Amy Rogers inadvertently added a third two minutes later when she put through her own net, while captain Alex Greenwood completed the rout with a towering header that proved to be the last touch of the game.

The Robins needed to win the game to have any chance of remaining in the WSL next season, but having accumulated just six points from their previous 19 outings, survival always looked unlikely.

As such, they have now been relegated back to the Championship, the division from which they were promoted last season.

City, on the other hand, remain on course to finish in top spot, as they open up a six-point gap on second-placed Chelsea, who have an inferior goal difference.

It also sets up a blockbuster clash against Arsenal next weekend, where Taylor’s side will be attempting to earn a WSL-record 15th successive victory.

The Manchester club have only lifted one previous WSL title, back in 2016, but confidence is now growing that they can double that tally.

16-year-old Hobson makes WSL history for Everton

Elsewhere, struggling Everton picked up a surprise point at home to third-placed Arsenal, who suffered another blow in their title ambitions.

The Gunners could have drawn level on points with Chelsea in second with a win, and were heading to victory when Alessia Russo opened the scoring in the 80th minute.

Their hosts were determined not to go down without a fight though and they duly grabbed an equaliser with just seconds of added time remaining.

Issy Hobson, just 16, was the Toffees hero, coming off the bench to head home to make it 1-1, becoming the WSL’s youngest ever goalscorer in the process.

There was also a super-sub on show for Manchester United, with Ella Toone’s goal seven minutes from time earning a 1-0 victory over Leicester City.

As such, the Red Devils moved three points clear of Liverpool in fourth place.

West Ham United, meanwhile, came from 1-0 down to draw 1-1 against Aston Villa, as Shannon Cooke scored deep into added time to earn a crucial point in their relegation fight.

Alisha Lehmann had earlier put the hosts ahead but their winless run extended to four matches.

Brighton and Spurs also played out a 1-1 draw, with Bethany England’s late goal salvaging a point following Elisabeth Terland’s opener.

Palace promoted to WSL – “I don’t think anyone expected this”

With the relegation spot in the WSL now sewn up, Bristol City’s replacement in the top flight was also confirmed as Crystal Palace booked their ticket to the WSL.

A 0-0 draw against Sunderland was enough for the Eagles to secure the Championship title.

A club-record crowd of 6,796 were in attendance at Selhurst Park to see history being made.

It is the first time the club have reached the WSL and comes on the back of finishing fifth last season.

But after accumulating 46 points from their 22 matches, Laura Kaminski’s side clinched the title, finishing narrowly ahead of Charlton Athletic.

Speaking to BBC Sport, captain Aimee Everett said: “At the start of the season there were a lot of changes.

“Honestly, I don’t think anyone expected this would have been the outcome, but this is what everyone wanted to achieve.”

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