Kerolin scored a hat-trick as Manchester City beat Chelsea 5-1, taking a major step towards the Women’s Super League title. The result moved Andree Jeglertz's team further clear at the top and ended Chelsea’s unbeaten away run in this season’s competition at the Etihad Stadium.
City’s victory extended the winning streak in league play to 13 matches and pushed the gap over Chelsea to 11 points on the day, then 12 overall in the standings. That is the widest Chelsea had trailed the WSL leaders since the final round of the 2018-19 season.
The margin over Chelsea meant City moved closer to a first league crown since 2016. It also underlined how far Chelsea slipped in this campaign, matching the 12-point deficit once seen behind Arsenal in third during
2018-19. The latest success came through ruthless attacking and disciplined defending.
Underlying data highlighted how one-sided the fixture was at the Etihad Stadium. Manchester City produced 3.80 expected goals, while Chelsea generated only 0.89. Shaw’s composed finish brought a 14th league goal of the season, already surpassing last campaign’s WSL top tally of 12 by Shaw and Alessia Russo.
City started aggressively and went ahead in the 13th minute. Kerstin Casparij’s corner bounced out to Kerolin, whose half-volley went past Hannah Hampton with a deflection off Ellie Carpenter. Keira Walsh then drove a shot just wide, before Ayaka Yamashita tipped over a dipping strike from Erin Cuthbert.
City tightened control nine minutes before half-time. Yui Hasegawa stole possession from Wieke Kaptein, then Vivianne Miedema slipped the ball to Khadija Shaw. The forward stayed calm and finished beyond Hampton, adding to a prolific campaign in front of goal.
Kerolin’s second arrived in the 49th minute after a direct run from beyond halfway. Kerolin broke clear of challenges and lifted a neat finish over Hampton. Five minutes later, Lauren Hemp exploited space behind Carpenter and squared for Kerolin, who completed the hat-trick with a controlled side-foot shot.
Chelsea threatened briefly when Kaptein missed a major opening, then Alyssa Thompson struck in the 68th minute. Thompson cut inside international team-mate Sam Coffey and drove a low shot into the corner. Four minutes later, Miedema headed in from another Casparij corner, glancing the ball into the far side.
FIVE-STAR CITY 5-1 @okx pic.twitter.com/RGW6Q5VDjFManchester City Women (@ManCityWomen) February 1, 2026
The contest ultimately centred on Kerolin, whose display decided the match and shaped the title picture. This hat-trick meant Kerolin had scored or assisted in six straight WSL outings, recording six goals and three assists. City’s performance, built on that attacking surge, left the league leaders within reach of another championship.
