Bristol City relegated from WSL following Manchester City defeat

Bristol City have been relegated from the Barclays Women’s Super League following their 4-0 defeat to Manchester City at Ashton Gate on Sunday evening.

Lauren Smith’s side have resided at the bottom of the table for the majority of the campaign having secured just one win so far. If they were to have any hope of mustering up some form of a comeback late on, they needed to secure all three points against a high-flying Manchester City team.

The first-half at Ashton Gate presented plenty of positives for the hosts as they kept Manchester City at arm's length and had a handful of opportunities themselves. Despite seeing very little possession, Smith’s side frustrated their opponents and they deserved to be level at the break.

Normally, a hard-fought draw would be a positive result against far superior opposition, but in the fight against relegation, it wouldn’t be good enough. The hosts had to go for the win and that was evident in the half-time changes as Carrie Jones and Abi Harrison came on for Amalie Thestrup and Ffion Morgan. 

Manchester City’s domination continued in the second-half, but it took something special from Mary Fowler to finally peg Bristol City back. The Australia international unleashed a fierce effort from the edge of the box that flew beyond goalkeeper Shae Yanez.

Fowler then finished a second a little over ten minutes later from a dangerous ball in from Hemp. Amy Rodgers scored an unfortunate own goal for the third that put Bristol City’s relegation beyond doubt.

Due to Manchester City’s need to increase their goal difference, they kept pushing for a fourth and it paid off deep into stoppage time. Bristol City failed to defend a corner and Alex Greenwood’s headed effort just about crossed the line.

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