Manchester City set up an enticing, winner takes all Champions League qualifier with Real Madrid as they ran out 6-0 winners over Tomiris-Turan on Thursday evening to take a step closer to the competition’s group stages.
A first half brace from Bunny Shaw plus goals from Lauren Hemp, Vicky Losada, Deyna Castellanos and an Aytaj Sharifova own goal saw City to a straightforward victory, as Gareth Taylor’s side dominated throughout.
City will face Real Madrid – the side who knocked them out of last season’s competition – in Round 2 of the Champions League on Sunday, after the Spanish outfit comfortably got the better of Sturm Graz in their first round tie.
City opened the scoring inside four minutes. Fresh from setting up England’s winner in the Euro 2022 final, Hemp was at it again, firing in a cross from the left hand side for Shaw to turn home.
The pair combined once more as City almost doubled their lead, but Shaw was denied by a good stop from Aytaj Sharifova after being played in by a clever Hemp back heel.
The Jamaican international did net her second shortly after, as she rose highest to power home a header from Chloe Kelly’s cross.
Shaw then turned provider on the stroke of half time, sliding in Hemp who cooly slotted into the back of the net.
City continued to dominate in the second half, but were kept out by a number of fine Sharifova saves, before substitute Losada added a fourth with 10 minutes remaining. The Spanish midfielder slotted past the Tomiris-Turan goalkeeper after drifting into the box unmarked.
Castellanos netted a debut goal for City on the cusp of full time, dispatching from the penalty spot after being brought down in the area.
Laura Coombs’ cross deflected in off Sharifova in second half stoppage time, as City eased into the second round of the Champions League.
GK: Ellie Roebuck – 6/10 – Hardly had a save to make, but typically good with the ball at her feet.
RB: Kerstin Casparij – 7/10 – One of four debutants for City. Like the whole City team, really composed and impressive in possession. Set Stokes scurrying away in behind with a particularly good floated pass in the second half. Played as part of a back three for spells.
CB: Laia Aleixandri – 8/10 – Her maiden City start, slotted seamlessly into City’s style of play with her ball playing ability. Moved into central midfield during spells due to City’s possessional dominance.
CB: Alex Greenwood – 7/10 – Typically superb in her distribution from the back, appeared to already have the building blocks of a good understanding with Aleixandri.
LB: Leila Ouahabi – 7/10 – Making her first competitive start for the club, combined well with Hemp, looked composed on the ball and was rarely troubled defensively.
CM: Keira Walsh – 9/10 – Kept City ticking over in possession, ice cool on the ball. Hardly put a foot wrong.
CM: Laura Coombs – 7/10 – Linked play with the City forward line effectively throughout, producing a number of well-weighted through balls. Ruthlessly efficient in possession, set up her side’s sixth.
CM: Mary Fowler – 7/10 – The fourth City debutant in the starting XI, playing as the most advanced midfielder. Full of energy and tidy in possession.
RW: Chloe Kelly – 7/10 – Set up City’s second with a fizzing cross from the right. Tracked back well on a number of occasions to win back possession for her side.
ST: Bunny Shaw – 8/10 – Opened the scoring with an instinctive, close range finish, before doubling her side’s lead with a bullet header and assisting Hemp for City’s third with a smart first time pass.
LW: Lauren Hemp – 8/10 – Set up City’s opener with a pinpoint delivery from the left, before finishing coolly for her side’s third. A menace throughout
SUB: Demi Stokes – 6/10
SUB: Steph Houghton – 6/10
SUB: Deyna Castellanos – 7/10 – On the scoresheet from the penalty spot.
SUB: Vicky Losada – 7/10 – Netted City’s second from close range.
SUB: Hayley Raso – 6/10