Manchester City Women Dominate Leicester in 6-0 Victory

omidbasir- Manchester City Women shone brightly in their recent match against Leicester City, securing a decisive 6-0 victory that allows them to extend their lead at the top of the Women’s Super League to 11 points. Manager Andree Jeglertz expressed confidence in his team’s motivation, stating, “I don’t need to motivate these players; they are fully aware of our standing in the league and our past achievements.” He further commended the team’s attacking prowess throughout the match, noting, “I’m really impressed and proud.”

This emphatic win marked another milestone in City’s impressive season, bringing their record to 14 victories in 16 games, with all nine home matches resulting in wins. Their only setbacks came from defeats at Stamford Bridge and Emirates Stadium against reigning WSL and European champions, respectively. After a surprising loss to Arsenal the previous week, City responded with an outstanding performance against the league’s bottom team.

While their nearest rivals—Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal—each have at least one game in hand, they trail City significantly, with Manchester United 11 points behind and Chelsea 12 points adrift. Although these teams are vying for Champions League spots, it increasingly seems unlikely that any will prevent City from securing their second WSL title.

Despite scoring six goals, City expressed disappointment at not netting more. They recorded a staggering 31 shots, with 15 on target, achieving an expected goals (xG) of 4.61 and completing 232 passes in the final third—both of which are the highest totals for any WSL team this season. This victory also enhanced their goal difference to +34, nearly double that of Manchester United, who sit at +18, and brought their total to 47 goals across 16 games, averaging 2.94 per match.

A standout performance came from Lauren Hemp, who was named player of the match. She contributed two assists and created 11 chances for her teammates, despite expressing a desire to improve her shooting skills. “I think I need to practise my shooting! But I am really happy to contribute where I can,” she remarked, highlighting the collective confidence within the squad.

Having missed out on a Champions League spot last season, City has played 22 games across all competitions, while rivals Chelsea have played 25, Arsenal 27, and Manchester United 28. This situation appears to have kept City’s squad fresh, particularly star striker Khadija Shaw, who has already scored 15 league goals this season, exceeding her tally from the previous campaign.

With the Asia Cup approaching and some key player departures, the team remains well-equipped for success. Record signing Sam Coffey made her first start in this match, showing promise in midfield. Former Manchester City captain Steph Houghton remarked on the team’s determination, noting the inherent pressure of leading the league, especially following a loss, but acknowledged the response was exemplary.

Looking ahead, with six matches remaining, Manchester City requires just 12 points to clinch the title. If circumstances align favorably, they could potentially secure the championship at Old Trafford in just three weeks on March 29. This prospect may well satisfy Jeglertz and his ambitious squad.

For more insights and updates on the Women’s Super League, tune into the Women’s Football Weekly podcast featuring Ben Haines, Ellen White, and Jen Beattie, with new episodes available every Tuesday on BBC Sounds.