Manchester City all but wrapped up the title in an absolutely stunning demolition job of Women’s Super League champions Chelsea.
Sonia Bompastor had to name a slightly different defence to what she is used to, due to Nathalie Bjorn, Niamh Charles, and Lucy Bronze all missing out through injury.
The hosts started brightly and found the breakthrough after just 13 minutes through Brazilian forward Kerolin, before Khadija Shaw added a second before the interval.
Kerolin sealed the deal for the Citizens after the break, with two quick-fire goals to complete her hat-trick.
Alyssa Thompson took her chance to grab a goal back for the visitors, but Vivianne Miedema restored the four-goal cushion just minutes later to seal an emphatic win as they go 11 points clear at the top of the table with just eight games remaining.
Here are VAVEL’s Chelsea player ratings for the clash.
Hannah Hampton – 4.5
It was a difficult day for England’s number one. Hampton found herself in multiple tough situations, with the first goal deflected and the other in one-on-ones. She definitely should have been able to do more for the final goal, but overall, it was the Blues who were simply outplayed.
Hampton did make a few good stops to deny Man City, and without her, the scoreline could have been a lot worse – which says a lot considering she shipped five as it is.
Naomi Girma – 5
She watched Shaw well in the opening half hour, but was outmuscled rather easily by her for the second goal. Gave the ball away a couple of times in the second half and she was lucky it did not lead to anything major.
Millie Bright – 5.5
Made some strong tackles defensively to avoid Manchester City applying even more pressure after their opener – remained calm and composed as you would expect from Chelsea’s highest WSL appearance maker.
Ellie Carpenter – 4
Suffered a tough opening 15 minutes, did not have anything go her way, including Kerolin’s opener, where the ball deflected off her leg on its way in.
The Australian certainly did not have her best game in a blue shirt, as she was dispossessed by Lauren Hemp for Kerolin’s third goal as that right side was simply dominated by the Citizens throughout.
Sandy Baltimore – 5
Midway through the first half, she drove an excellent ball which just went wide of the post. In the past, Baltimore has been very strong at delivering precise crosses and strong dribbles but today she was unable to repeat that feat.
Veerle Buurman – 5.5
Despite a poor overall team performance, the 19-year-old did not really put a foot wrong in the encounter. It was perhaps just too much of an important clash for the visitors to warrant her staying on for the majority of the game.
Wieke Kaptein – 5.5
Unfortunate not to have equalised for the visitors, after her header was ruled out for offside. She had the perfect opportunity to get the visitors on the board on the hour mark after a slip, but she blazed her shot over the crossbar.
She made it far too easy for Miedema to get in front of her for the fifth goal.
Erin Cuthbert – 5
Made a rather clumsy challenge on Shaw early on in the first half, which could have resulted in the opener. Had the ball in space inside the box, failed to get the shot on target as it was blocked.
The Scot did have her moments, forcing Ayaka Yamashita into a strong save after a powerful strike taken from the edge of the penalty area but she was under fire once again for the second goal after being poorly dispossessed.
Keira Walsh – 4.5
Delivered a number of good deliveries which almost produced an equaliser. She also unleashed a fierce strike from range, which really made opposing ‘keeper Yamashita work for a strong save.
She also made a big error which led to a City goal in the second half.
Alyssa Thompson – 6
Played on the same side as Baltimore on the left, where Chelsea were certainly able to create and produce more promising chances. Despite only getting 18 touches of the ball up to the 65th minute, she took her chance when it came tremendously on the edge of the box – she made it four goals in seven games, extending her strong form in front of goal.
**Lauren James**– 5
She delivered an incredible and pinpoint ball into the box for Kaptein to head home, only for it be ruled out. Had a rough moment towards the end of her contribution in the game, misstepping and accidentally kicking the ball out in the defensive half – summing up Chelsea’s day.
Substitutes
[**Samantha Kerr](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/04/02/womens-football/1142626-aston-villa-0-3-chelsea-cankovic-first-half-excellence-helps-blues-to-victory.html)** – 5
Found herself in a couple of good positions to make something out of, but unfortunately for the visitors, Kerr, like everyone else, just was not on her game on Sunday afternoon.
Sjoeke Nüsken – 5.5
She was perhaps quite fortunate that her blocked effort shortly after coming on fell straight into the path of the in-form Thompson.
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd – 5
She did not get much of a chance to show what she was capable of. Kaneryd did get the ball once in a good position but failed to make much of it.
[**Aggie Beever-Jones](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2025/10/29/womens-football/1239488-ellie-carpenter-believes-chelsea-teammate-is-a-world-class-player.html)**– 5
Beever-Jones was not on long enough to have a major influence on the game – went down injured late on.