Manchester City Women fuelled the Women’s Super League Champions League race once more last night with a resounding landmark 4-0 win over Everton, and this weekend go up against the division’s bottom side Birmingham City, writes Ben Olawumi.
Only the league’s winners automatically enter next season’s Women’s Champions League group stages, though second and third also go into the European competition at its qualification stages.
Goals against the Toffees for the Continental Cup winners came from Ellen White, Alex Greenwood and Laura Coombs – as well as an early Simone Magill own goal – with the Citizens racking up their 100th WSL victory since becoming a professional outfit in 2014.
That win over Everton was their 15th in the last 17 in all competitions.
City now sit fourth and trail neighbours Manchester United in third by only goal difference with five games each remaining.
Post-match, City boss Gareth Taylor admitted there’s still a lot of work to do.
“We expect it to be tight,” he told the club’s website.
“There’s still a bit of wiggle room and games to come. It’s good for us to have clawed back to this position and we have to do what we can in the remaining games.
“We’re moving in the right direction, but we’re always looking for the icing on the cake, the best outcome.
“[Getting 100 league wins] is interesting, it feels like there’s a new statistic every week but it’s great and it shows the progression that we’re having as a club.
“Now, we want more. The next milestone!”
While being on an upward curve, there is no time for Taylor’s side to revel in the glory of their recent success as games continue to come thick and fast.
Birmingham make the visit to Manchester on Sunday – March 27 – in what will be a fourth consecutive home match (all competitions) for the Sky Blues.
Under the interim leadership of Darren Carter, Birmingham are anchored to the bottom of the league table with just four points from their 17 league games so far this season.
Eight points off 11th-place Leicester City with only five games remaining, Carter’s side look certain to be heading down to the Women’s Championship, and last weekend were dumped out of the FA Cup with a 5-0 defeat at home to Chelsea.
However, City must beware of a sting in the tail of a team with little to play for.
In the reverse league fixture back in December, Taylor’s side had to come from behind twice in the first half before striker White rescued the day with an 89th minute strike to seal a 3-2 win.
