READING FC WOMEN remain at the bottom of the Women’s Super League as Manchester City came back from an early deficit to take the points.
The Royals made a dream start when Sanne Troelsgaard fired them in front with less than a minute on the clock.
But City responded with their devastating attack as goals from Chloe Kelly, Khadija Shaw, Lauren Hemp and Steph Houghton ensured they collected the win.
Reading are in the relegation zone with three games left to play. They trail both Brighton and Leicester by a point, both of whom have a game in hand.
Kelly Chambers’ side went into the game at the bottom of the table after Leicester City earned an impressive 4-0 triumph over Liverpool to lift themselves out of 12th spot.
Meanwhile, City are chasing down the title in a four team race with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal in an enthralling race for top spot.
Just as they did last week against Everton, the Royals made a flying start when they stormed into a shock lead inside the opening minute.
Reading’s star player throughout the campaign stepped up to the plate once again as Sanne Troeslgaard wasted no time when she took aim and curled into the corner from the edge of the box with a precise finish.
It was very much backs to the wall for Reading after upsetting the title chasers early on.
Tia Primmer went into the referee’s book just four minutes in after showing an overeagerness to win the ball as she fouled a City player in the process.
After a barrage of City pressure, the hosts got back on level terms.
Reading’s inability to clear the ball with both Khadija Shaw and Chloe Kelly lurking in the six yard box led to the latter stealing in and nudging the ball past Grace Moloney.
Royals keeper Moloney was called into action in a busy opening 45 minutes to prevent City from going in front as she stuck out a foot with a reflex save to stop Laura Coombs from drilling the ball into the net.
Easther Mayi Kith continued to show her value to Reading’s back line when she made a vital last ditch tackle on Shaw who looked destined to score from a one-on-one.
But the WSL’s top scorer couldn’t be stopped from her next chance when she powered a header in from a corner, despite Moloney getting a glove to the ball.
The visitors tried to respond when Rachel Rowe tried her luck with an effort that fizzed just past Ellie Roebuck’s post.
Troelsgaard then had a massive chance to get her second of the game when she worked tenaciously to chase Roebuck down, win the ball and get a shot at goal before the City keeper made amends with an important save.
The half-time whistle sounded with City in front after turning the game around, but with Reading still very much in the contest.
But a devastating City attack just two minutes after the restart gave City a comfortable advantage.
Kelly combined with Shaw and slid the ball to the back post for Lauren Hemp to apply the finish to make it 3-1.
Reading looked for a quick response when Justine Vanhaevermaet found Troelsgaard and the Denmark international had a goalbound shot blocked behind for a corner.
The Citizens should have added to the scoreline after executing another flowing forward move, but Kelly missed the target with the goal gaping.
A first Reading change saw Jade Moore replace Primmer in the 56th minute.
The hosts kept pushing for a fourth and went within a whisker of finding it when a thunderous half volley from Hemp cannoned off the post.
Gareth Taylor’s team were rewarded with their fourth goal of the afternoon when club captain Steph Houghton picked out the corner with a pinpoint free-kick from 25 yards.
Despite having plenty more chances, Reading managed to keep City from putting any more gloss on the scoreline as it ended 4-1 in favour of the hosts.
Reading host Aston Villa in their next match on Sunday, May 7.
Man City: Roebuck, Morgan. Houghton, Greenwood, Casparij, Hasegawa, Angeldahl, Coombs, Kelly, Hemp, Shaw
Subs: Keating, Stokes, Ouahabi, Dahou, Fowler, Castellanos, Raso
Reading: Moloney, Mukandi, Mayi-Kith, Caldwell, Eikeland, Rowe, Vanhaevermaet, Rowe, Wellings, Primmer, Troelsgaard
Subs: Poulter, Bryson, Hendrix, Jane, Evans, Moore, Perry, Wade, Alexander
Goals: Troelsgaard 1’. Kelly 15’, Shaw 24, Hemp 47’, Houghton 70’
