Manchester City Women 4-0 Birmingham City Women: Chloe Kelly scores brace in City win

Manchester City went top of the Women's Super League as Chloe Kelly's double helped to beat struggling Birmingham.

Kelly twice pounced from close range in the opening 25 minutes following Lauren Hemp's runs down the left.

However, Kelly was carried off after clashing knees with Rebecca Holloway in winning a penalty - with Hannah Hampton then saving Caroline Weir's kick.

Esme Morgan met Hemp's flick-on to sweep in her first senior goal and Sam Mewis lashed in a stoppage-time fourth.

The victory takes City top by a point from Chelsea, who have a game in hand.

With Chelsea in Champions League semi-final action, Gareth Taylor's side had the chance to apply pressure by winning their penultimate game and ensuring the title race goes to the final day next Sunday.

Kelly's first-half double looked to have capped a superb week which also saw her make the six-strong shortlist for WSL Player of the Season, but her afternoon ended abruptly when a concerning injury forced her off after lengthy treatment.

City were not at their fluent best, but had too much quality for Birmingham who conceded twice more to set-pieces and had Hampton to thank for a string of superb saves, particularly from Weir and Janine Beckie.

Despite the defeat, Blues are all but safe, sitting three points above bottom side Bristol City with a game to go, and with a hugely better goal difference, but they still await the result of a Football Association charge for fielding banned player Ruesha Littlejohn.

Chelsea play their game in hand at Tottenham on Wednesday before hosting Reading on Sunday when City travel to West Ham.