Man City cruised to 5-0 home success over newly promoted Bristol City as the gulf in class was all too apparent with all the goals arriving in the first half.
Bristol City came up against the harsh realities of life in the Women's Super League after a 5-0 thrashing at Man City. Promoted last season as Champions they were second best throughout against the quality of their opponents.
Bristol won a corner in the opening minute and that was the nearest they came to the hosts goal for the rest of the half.
Man City were dominant throughout as the game became attack (home side) against defence (away team). Such was the Cityzenscontrol that it became almost a practise game played at low tempo.
An early goal from Jill Roord, heading home after Khadija Shaw had hit the cross bar, set Man City up nicely as Bristol were unable to break out of their own half.
Bristol then frustrated City and looked like they might reach half time with just a one goal deficit. But then four goals in the space of 15 minutes gave the visitors no way back.
Laia Aleixandri glanced in a header from Alex Greenwood's free kick, then Khadija Shaw's header from Mary Fowler's cross made it three. Fowler was again provider for Roord to get her second in first half injury time before Shaw got her brace heading home the rebound from keeper Kayla Marchese's initial save.
On 55 mins Man City keeper was forced to make her first save of the contest from substitute Ffion Morgan. But after the goal-fest of the first 45 minutes the second period was something of an anti climax.
City continued with wave after wave of attacks but with little end product but at least the visitors avoided the 8-1 scoreline when the two teams met in the Women's FA Cup this year.
Full Time
Man City: 5 (Roord 9, 45+2, Aleixandri 34, Shaw 38, 45+4)
Bristol City: 0
Venue: Joie Stadium