Kerolin scored an exquisite hat-trick as Manchester City ensured they have one hand on the Women's Super League trophy after a huge victory over rivals Chelsea.

Their lead at the top of the table extends to 11 points over second-placed Manchester United, while Chelsea fall 12 points adrift in third place.

In what was a must-win game for defending champions Chelsea, City did not allow the visitors to gain control and were deservedly 2-0 up at half-time.

Brazilian international Kerolin set the tone with a powerful finish after 13 minutes, before Khadija Shaw shrugged off defender Naomi Girma to slot in City's second.

Kerolin then delivered the game's best moment when she ran the length of the pitch, burst away from midfielder Keira Walsh and chipped goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, igniting a roar from the home fans as reality began to sink in.

With City's tails between their legs, Kerolin grabbed her hat-trick with a tap-in from close range five minutes later.

That was job done but City did not stop there as Vivianne Mediema headed in a fifth goal later on, after Chelsea's Alyssa Thompson scored a consolation.

It is the furthest Chelsea have been from the top in the WSL since the final day of the 2018-19 season when they were 12 points behind Arsenal.

It is a huge drop-off for Sonia Bompastor's side, who went 34 games unbeaten and won a domestic treble last season in her first year in charge.

United's victory over Liverpool earlier on Sunday saw them move up to second, 11 points behind City, while Arsenal have a game in hand and sit in fourth.

Coming into this game with a nine-point lead over Chelsea, City knew they were already in a strong position to claim the title.

But the devastating nature in which they saw off England's most dominant team of the past decade was frightening - and only confirmed their status as this season's definite best.

Noise was building all week around City and how a result at the Etihad would all but award them the title on paper and manager Andree Jeglertz did not shy away from it.

He encouraged his side to address the situation they had "earned" but warned against complacency and pushed them to deliver against Chelsea.

They answered his pleas emphatically, putting on a delicious display, full of the swagger and ruthlessness that often oozes from their opponents.

It was the occasion fans at Etihad Stadium had hoped to see as supporters rolled into Manchester prepared for a party.

Kerolin's Brazilian roots brought the most entertainment as she toyed with Chelsea, bursting away from players with her pace, skilfully eluding challenges and nonchalantly chipping the ball over goalkeeper Hampton for the second of her three well-taken goals.

With Arsenal up next, City know there are still challenges to overcome, but it would take a monumental fall to lose the title from this position.

Chelsea's loss to Arsenal the week before, and City's late winner over London City Lionesses, led to Bompastor conceding the title, before backtracking and saying her side will never give up.

But it is hard to see how they will come back from this with her players looking dejected and lost for ideas on a forgettable afternoon in Manchester.

They started brightly and had chances in a strong period midway through the first half – Keira Walsh and Erin Cuthbert with powerful efforts from the edge of the box.

They also had a goal disallowed for a marginal offside by Wieke Kaptein and Bompastor felt Shaw had fouled Girma on her way to scoring City's second goal.

But when City went 3-0 up a few minutes after half-time, there was no way back for Chelsea, who are not used to losing, let alone being so far adrift of the leaders.

Bompastor had to act and she brought on Sam Kerr and Sjoeke Nusken in the 50th minute but the Frenchwoman could do nothing to change the direction of the match.

City fans taunted Chelsea, singing "easy, easy, easy" after Kerolin's hat-trick was sealed and the Blues could hardly complain – it was too easy for the hosts.

Chelsea's priorities will turn to the Champions League, the one trophy that has eluded them, and the defence of their two domestic cups.

But this was a bitter blow and will lead to many questions of Bompastor and her side this season.

Manchester City will travel to Arsenal on Sunday, 8 February (12:00 GMT) knowing they have one hand on the WSL title.

Chelsea know they have to win as they head across London to Tottenham on the same day (14:25 GMT kick-off).

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