Stanway treble stuns Seagulls

Caroline Weir, Nikita Parris and Claire Emslie were also on the scoresheet, as Nick Cushing’s side emphatically beat a second FA Women’s Super League newcomer in seven days.

What happened

City started well, and helped by Brighton’s high press, found a lot of space in behind the home side’s defence. Parris was the first to benefit, leaving the Brighton backline chasing her tail, only to be denied by a brave save from former Blue Marie Hourihan. 

With 20 minutes played, a clever through-ball from Tessa Wullaert slid past Victoria Williams’ outstretched leg and sent Stanway through on goal.

She made no mistake, powerfully striking the ball into the bottom left corner of Hourihan’s net to give Cushing’s side the lead. 

The Seagulls continued their high press and were caught out again just five minutes later. Jill Scott ran onto Steph Houghton‘s long ball and struck a right footed half-volley just wide of the far post.

Hope Powell’s side didn’t create too much in the first 45, and their only clear-cut chance came just five minutes before the break. Chloe Peplow latched onto a loose ball in the City penalty area before dragging her shot wide of Ellie Roebuck‘s goal. 

Brighton’s offside trap was beaten again in the 43rd minute, as City doubled the lead. Parris ran clear of the defence and squared it to Weir, who scored with a finish that was unconventionally simple by her standards! 

The home side started the second half very brightly, and nearly halved the deficit in the 46th minute through Peplow, who showed good skill before lashing the ball over the bar.

Brighton’s best chance of the game came ten minutes later when Ellie Brazil forced a good save from Roebuck, and Iniabasi Umotong’s rebound needed a Houghton header to prevent it from crossing the line.

After successfully withstanding the pressure, City found another gear. Stanway ran down the right wing and hit a long range effort which bounced just in front of the unsighted Hourihan, and the Blues lead was extended to three.

With a comfortable cushion, City seemed to relax and concentrate on their attacking football. The best move of the game started with Roebuck, as played short to Houghton and the skipper’s long pass was taken down brilliantly by Weir.

The Scot set up Stanway for the Blues’ fourth of the game, and the forward’s second hat-trick of her City career!

Emslie came on for Scott with 20 minutes to play and her pace caused problems for the Brighton defence. In the 87th minute, her cross found Parris who headed well into the top corner and kept her impressive goalscoring record going.

Parris returned the favour in added time, cleverly dummying a shot and playing in Emslie, who finished calmly, making it 6-0 to City, and completing the rout.

How we lined up

Roebuck started in goal, behind a back four of Gemma Bonner, Houghton, Jen Beattie and Esme Morgan. City’s midfield was a narrow one, consisting of Scott, Keira Walsh behind Wullaert and Weir, with Stanway and Parris leading the line up front. 

What it means

Unbeaten City sit second in the table - one point behind leaders Arsenal.

Up next

We host Reading at the Academy Stadium on Friday night, before travelling to Liverpool on Sunday 4 November.

📆 Next up... Friday night football 🙌

City v @ReadingFCWomen at the Academy Stadium! Don’t miss out!

🎟 https://t.co/scJXNy9hE5 #mancity pic.twitter.com/FsIKMGoL1L

— Man City Women (@ManCityWomen) October 21, 2018