'Sweet Kerolin' steals show as Man City move closer to title

Kerolin could not wipe the smile off her face.

Even after being substituted in the 63rd minute, the Manchester City winger sat on the bench with a huge grin.

After all, she had just scored a hat-trick against reigning Women's Super League champions Chelsea to all-but end their hopes of a seventh-straight title.

City's commanding 5-1 win over Sonia Bompastor's Chelsea on Sunday helped the hosts move 11 points clear at the top of the table.

The Brazil attacker kick-started a party atmosphere inside Etihad Stadium as her half-volley from the edge of the box flew past Chelsea keeper Hannah Hampton.

And she had her hat-trick wrapped up by the 54th minute, when she poked home a routine finish after being played in by Lauren Hemp.

But it was Kerolin's second goal that stole the show.

From a failed Chelsea corner, Kerolin latched on to the ball deep in her own half and burst up the length of the pitch, beating Millie Bright and Keira Walsh for pace before dinking an audacious chip over Hampton.

"I could watch that over and over again," former City striker Ellen White said on BBC One.

"I'm sure tonight she will just have one on replay. It's a phenomenal finish."

Having been wiped out by Hampton as the ball hit the back of the net, the 26-year-old lapped up the applause from the floor with her arms crossed and tongue out - at least until Khadija Shaw and other team-mates jumped on top of her.

"If this is a goal that sums Kerolin up and what she's about, this is it," ex-City captain Steph Houghton added.

"She drives with the ball, takes advantage of Chelsea being disorganised, the touch away from the defender and what a fantastic finish. That is pretty special."

Kerolin's hat-trick - her first for the club - takes her goal tally to six goals in seven WSL games this season.

Having missed all of October and November through injury, she now has the best goals-per-game ratio in the WSL at 1.41 goals per 90 minutes.

Kerolin walked off to a deserved standing ovation for her stellar performance, but was humble when asked about her sensational display - crediting her success to her team-mates.

"It's hard to talk about myself," she told BBC One. I'm enjoying the moment with the team.

"Without the team I can't do anything. If we're in this position right now, it's because of the team.

Kerolin, who joined City from North Carolina Courage in January 2025, has not always been Andree Jeglertz's first-choice right winger this season - often finding herself behind Aoba Fujino in the pecking order.

But an injury to the Japan international in December meant Kerolin has been given more minutes - and she has made the most of the opportunity, scoring in each of her past three league appearances.

"She can create something out of nothing," Jeglertz said.

"The way she scored the goals, using her speed, and don't forget she is also putting effort in defending in her own half.

"I'm very happy for her and for us to have that kind of player."

With the WSL trophy in sight for the first time since 2016, Jeglertz will be hoping Kerolin keeps up her scoring form for City's last eight league games.