Key events
Here’s a look at Mary Fowler’s opening goal…
Bristol City manager Lauren Smith tells Sky Sports: “I think we have been sat at the bottom of the table for the season. It has always been a mountain to climb so that’s what we’ve been fighting against. Some of the performances we have been very proud of but haven’t got the results. I think we have showed up but we haven’t showed up for 90 minutes week in, week out and that’s the difference.”
“We have to start looking at what next year looks like. We have to continue to build and make sure our fanbase is as incredible next year as it is now. We will be looking to continue this trend and build the excitement in Bristol.
“We talk about the journey a lot of the time. This is part of that journey for them. We have two more games and many more seasons ahead. Everything they have done this season they can be proud of and that is experience. If this makes them better, that’s part of the development we do here.”
Manchester City winger Mary Fowler tells Sky Sports: “The only pressure we felt was the pressure we put on ourselves. We are in the title race and expect more from ourselves and in the first half we weren’t finishing our chances.”
“It feels really good to get more game time. I try to bring my best to the team and having been on the side for a while I just try to stay focused in training and be a good team mate on the side.”
Gordon has emailed in to say: “Commiserations to Bristol City, I hope they bounce back soon. Mary Fowler rescued Man City tonight from a disastrous result. But with Chelsea still to play Bristol City, I feel the Cityzens have not capitalised enough tonight – the title is likely to be won on GD.”
Bristol City’s time in the WSL has come to an end. They can no longer catch up with 11th-placed West Ham. It was a valiant effort from Lauren Smith’s side in the first half, but the floodgates opened following Mary Fowler’s 62nd-minute strike.
Meanwhile, Manchester City continue their title charge, piling the pressure on Chelsea. Those four goals could prove to be crucial come the final day of the campaign next month.
Full-time: Bristol City 0-4 Manchester City
Bristol’s relegation to the Championship is confirmed.
GOAL! Bristol 0-4 Manchester City (Greenwood, 99)
Greenwood scores her first goal of the season with a header at the back post. That could be crucial for Manchester City’s title charge.
90+6 min: Another cross is sent into the box, this time from Hemp. Struck heads it clear, but only as far as Kelly who unleashes a powerful strike. The winger’s shot flies narrowly over the crossbar and into the crowd.
90+4 min: Manchester City are pushing for a fourth. Kelly crosses the ball into the six-yard box, but it just runs away from Hemp before she can go for goal.
90+1 min: Eight minutes have been added on.
89 min: Bristol make another change. Sille Struck is on to replace Aspin. Meanwhile, Casparij is able to play on.
87 min: Casparij is currently down and receiving treatment from the Manchester City medics following an accidental knee to the back of the head from Napier.
84 min: I don’t think Bristol have challenged Keating since the break. Manchester City have barely let the hosts out of their own half.
82 min: The floodgates appear to have opened. Heartbreaking for Bristol City who have played so well up until this point. But it was only a matter of time for the visitors. Gareth Taylor’s side have dominated this second half.
78 min: Kelly crosses the ball into the box and Hemp heads it across the six-yard box, but Rodgers sticks out a leg to deflect it into her own net.
That’s game, set and match. Bristol’s fate has been sealed. The hosts are heading back down to the Championship.
GOAL! Bristol 0-3 Manchester City (Rodgers OG, 77)
And just like that, it’s three!
76 min: Hemp sends a fantastic cross into the box from the right and Fowler gets a foot on it to deflect the ball on target!
GOAL! Bristol 0-2 Manchester City (Fowler, 75)
Fowler doubles Manchester City’s advantage with 15 minutes left to play!
Has Bristol’s fate been sealed now?
73 min: Both teams make another change, with Laura Blindkilde Brown replacing Coombs for Manchester City.
Lisa Evans replaces Furness for the hosts.
71 min: Manchester City have a corner. The ball is sent into the box and Aleixandri goes for goal with a header, but her effort is comfortably saved by Yanez.
68 min: Substitution for Bristol as Layzell makes way for Mari Ward.
66 min: Thestrup has just been seen on the Bristol City bench with an ice pack on her neck, likely from that collision with Keating earlier. The Manchester City goalkeeper also appears to be feeling the effects, she is currently down receiving treatment.
63 min: Fowler receives the ball from Hasegawa in midfield before unleashing a powerful strike from over 25 yards out. It flies straight into the top-left corner, giving Yanez no chance of making the save.
Bristol defended brilliantly up until that point, but they gave Fowler far too much space there.
GOAL! Bristol 0-1 Manchester City (Fowler, 62)
Fowler breaks the deadlock in spectacular style!
58 min: I don’t know how they’re doing this, but Bristol are STILL keeping the visitors at bay. Three defenders throw themselves in front of goal to block a shot before the ball falls to Park. The midfielder shoots, but Yanez makes the save. Incredible!
55 min: Hemp comes inches away from breaking the deadlock. Fowler does well to get into the box from the left before driving the ball across to Hemp at the back post, but the England star’s shot runs just wide!
The drums here at Ashton Gate are really adding to the dramatic atmosphere!
54 min: Bristol continue to defend brilliantly, with Bull throwing her body in the way to block a cross from Hemp.
This is some performance from the hosts!
52 min: Another chance for Manchester City as Kelly goes for goal inside the box, but Bull manages to block the shot. A big let-off for the hosts.
50 min: Park looks to cross the ball into the box from the right, but her pass is cut out by Connolly and Bristol can clear the danger.
49 min: Bristol have a corner. Connolly sends the ball into the box and Furness gets her head to it, but can’t direct her effort on target.
47 min: Both teams made some changes at the break, with Kerstin Casparij replacing Kennedy for Manchester City.
For Bristol, Carrie Jones has replaced Thestrup and Morgan has made way for Abi Harrison.
Kick-off: Bristol City 0-0 Manchester City
We’re back under way at Ashton Gate!
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I don’t think anyone expected Bristol to get anything from this game, but they could come away with a point – maybe even more. Manchester City have lacked a cutting edge in front of goal so far, perhaps partly due to the absence of Khadija Shaw.
Gordon has messaged in to say: “Man City have been superb in their most recent games but tonight – so far – is a regression. Very much missing Bunny Shaw. They need to change, I’d like to see Hemp in the middle and Kelly on the wing. I’d also like to see Filippa Angeldahl come on, a regular starter for Sweden but strangely neglected by City.”
Half-time: Bristol City 0-0 Manchester City
Bristol manager Lauren Smith will be absolutely thrilled with that first-half performance. Gareth Taylor, not so much.
45+6 min: Hemp comes close with arguably the best chance of the match so far. Park crosses the ball into the box from the left and the winger makes a late run in at the back post, but her header is saved by Yanez!
45+4 min: Manchester City are really pushing for that opening goal as we approach half-time. Fowler goes for goal, but Yanez makes the save. It runs back out to Kelly who shoots again, but the goalkeeper can claim it.
45+2 min: Ouahabi goes for goal from the edge of the box, but it’s an easy save for Yanez.
45+1 min: Six minutes have been added on…
44 min: Napier wins a free kick on the left following a challenge from Hemp. It is delivered into the box, but Fowler eventually clears.
