Matthew Appleby was at the Academy Stadium yesterday to capture all the action for Impetus from the WSL match (1/5/23).
Above: Khadija Shaw jumps for joy after putting Manchester City ahead with her 18th goal of the season yesterday. Photo: Matthew Appleby for Impetus.
Manchester City 4-1 Reading
Manchester City closed the gap on WSL leaders and cross-city rivals Manchester United to two points after coming from behind to seal a comprehensive win over a Reading side who are two points adrift at the bottom of the table.
The Berkshire visitors hit the front in the opening minute thanks to Sanne Troelsgaard’s curling effort. The lead lasted fifteen minutes before Chloe Kelly levelled. Khadija Shaw put the hosts ahead with 24 minutes on the clock as her bullet header from Alex Greenwood’s corner sealed her 18th goal WSL goal of the season.
Lauren Hemp made it 3-0 within two minutes of the second-half opening before Steph Houghton sealed the win with 20 minutes remaining.
Gareth Taylor’s team’s forthcoming clash with Manchester United now takes on added significance in the WSL title race, and with Chelsea in third with three games in hand, we’re set for a thrilling end to the season both at the top and bottom.
Matthew Appleby’s photo gallery from the Academy Stadium:
Teams: MANCHESTER CITY (4-2-3-1): Roebuck, Casparij, Houghton, Greenwood, Morgan, Hasegawa, Angeldahl, Kelly, Coombs, Hemp, Shaw. Substitutes used: Raso (for Hemp 66′), Castellanos (for Coombs 75′), Ouahabi (for Greenwood 76′), Fowler (for Hasegawa 76′).
Scorers: Kelly 15′, Shaw 24′, Hemp 47′, Houghton 70′.
READING (4-4-2): Moloney, Eikeland, Mayi Kith, Caldwell, Mukandi, Harries, Vanhaevermaet, Rowe, Wellings, Troelsgaard, Primmer. Substitutes used: Moore (for Primmer 55′), Wade (for Harries 73′), Perry (for Vanhaevermaet 87′), Hendrix (for Troelsgaard 87′).
Scorer: Troelsgaard 1′.
Referee: Amy Fearns.
Attendance: 3,102.
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