Although Man City tried to salvage a bit of pride, they were hardly posing any threat to Berger’s goal and the game had ceased to be a meaningful contest from the moment Eriksson’s header hit the back of the net.
A whole host of substitutions followed over the next quarter-of-an-hour or so, as Hayes brought on Bethany England for Kerr and then made a triple change, with Berger finally succumbing to the two knocks she’d sustained earlier in the match and Reiten and Kirby also going off for a well-earned rest. Zecira Musovic, Niamh Charles and Drew Spence were the players to come on.
England and Fleming almost combined for the latter to score a fifth in stoppage time, but an eighth game unbeaten against Manchester City in all competitions had long since been secured. This victory, by scoreline at least, was certainly one of our best against a side who have been a regular sparring partner over the past seven years.
Next up for the Blues is a pair of home games in quick succession, as we host Servette on Thursday in the Women’s Champions League and Birmingham City on Sunday in the WSL. Click here to buy your tickets now.
Manchester City (4-3-3) Taieb; Stanway, Scott, Greenwood, Stokes; Walsh, Angeldal (Coombs 69), Weir (Losada 77); Park (Beckie 69), White (c), Hemp (Raso 79)
Unused subs Pilling, Mace, Kennedy
Chelsea (3-4-3) Berger (Musovic 78); Bright, Carter, Eriksson (c); Cuthbert, Ji (Ingle h/t), Leupolz, Reiten (Charles 78); Kirby (Spence 78), Kerr (England 67), Fleming
Unused subs Mjelde, James, Andersson, Fox
Scorers Fleming 2, Kerr 45+4, Kirby 51, Eriksson 56
Referee Rebecca Welch