Match ends, Birmingham City Women 0, Manchester City Women 4.
Manchester City moved within two points of the Women's Super League summit with a dominant win at Birmingham.
Chloe Kelly crossed for Sam Mewis to head in the opener to break the home resistance shortly before half-time.
Two quick goals put the game beyond doubt as Mewis netted at the second attempt from Alex Greenwood's corner and Lauren Hemp floated in a third.
Ellen White teed up Caroline Weir to tap in City's fourth before Rose Lavelle's late drive struck the bar.
An eighth straight WSL win in an 11-match unbeaten run brought City to within two points of leaders Chelsea and took them four clear of rivals Manchester United.
Gareth Taylor's side dominated throughout, but were made to work hard to create chances in the first half against the defensive-minded hosts.
White saw her downward header turned round the post by Birmingham goalkeeper Hannah Hampton and then sent a snapshot over the bar before United States midfielder Mewis marked her return from injury with the breakthrough goal thanks to Kelly's ninth assist of the season.
City, who have racked up 42 goals in their past 10 league matches, threatened to run riot as Mewis doubled the lead and Hemp added a fortunate third just 90 seconds later.
Weir made it six goals in as many matches as the visitors played out the game and turned their thoughts to the first leg of their Women's Champions League last-16 tie with Fiorentina on Wednesday.
Birmingham stayed ninth as their winless run stretched to five.
Line-ups
B'ham City Women
Formation 5-4-1
- 1Hampton
- 3Scott
- 16Brougham
- 4Mace
- 20Napier
- 25Holloway
- 18Walker
- 2Mayling
- 12LittlejohnBooked at 63minsSubstituted forGreenat 90'minutes
- 19WhippSubstituted forKellyat 75'minutes
- 35MurphySubstituted forMcCarronat 75'minutes
Substitutes
- 7McCarron
- 8Green
- 11Grant
- 14Kelly
- 24Whitehouse
- 30Lawley
- 37Hart
Man City Women
Formation 4-3-3
- 26Roebuck
- 20Bronze
- 6HoughtonSubstituted forDahlkemperat 76'minutes
- 27Greenwood
- 14Morgan
- 7Coombs
- 22MewisSubstituted forStanwayat 64'minutes
- 19Weir
- 9KellySubstituted forMannionat 72'minutes
- 18WhiteSubstituted forDaviesat 77'minutes
- 15HempSubstituted forLavelleat 72'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Mannion
- 10Stanway
- 13Dahlkemper
- 21Lavelle
- 34Benameur
- 35Keating
- 39Davies
- Referee:
- Helen Conley
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home18%
- Away82%
- Shots
- Home1
- Away22
- Shots on Target
- Home1
- Away12
- Corners
- Home2
- Away10
- Fouls
- Home4
- Away3
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Birmingham City Women 0, Manchester City Women 4.
Post update
Attempt saved. Caroline Weir (Manchester City Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top left corner.
Post update
Corner, Manchester City Women. Conceded by Ruby Mace.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Rose Lavelle (Manchester City Women) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Alex Greenwood.
Substitution
Substitution, Birmingham City Women. Mollie Green replaces Ruesha Littlejohn.
Post update
Offside, Manchester City Women. Lucy Bronze tries a through ball, but Rose Lavelle is caught offside.
Post update
Foul by Esme Morgan (Manchester City Women).
Post update
Emma Kelly (Birmingham City Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Millie Davies (Manchester City Women).
Post update
Ruby Mace (Birmingham City Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Manchester City Women. Millie Davies replaces Ellen White.
Substitution
Substitution, Manchester City Women. Abby Dahlkemper replaces Stephanie Houghton.
Substitution
Substitution, Birmingham City Women. Emma Kelly replaces Lucy Whipp.
Substitution
Substitution, Birmingham City Women. Chloe McCarron replaces Emily Murphy.
Substitution
Substitution, Manchester City Women. Rose Lavelle replaces Lauren Hemp.
Substitution
Substitution, Manchester City Women. Aoife Mannion replaces Chloe Kelly.
Post update
Attempt saved. Alex Greenwood (Manchester City Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Georgia Stanway.
Post update
Corner, Manchester City Women. Conceded by Hannah Hampton.
Post update
Attempt saved. Stephanie Houghton (Manchester City Women) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.

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