With Manchester United and Liverpool both winning earlier in the day, City had dropped to fifth at kick-off against a side who hadn’t tasted defeat since the opening weekend of the season.
But a Bunny Shaw hat-trick, Laura Coombs brace and further strikes from Lauren Hemp and Jill Roord ensured the hosts cruised to victory at the Joie Stadium, moving back up to third in the process.
Reflecting on the game, the boss explained the importance of remaining within touching distance of the WSL’s early pacesetters.
He said: “They’re all really important [wins]. Last weekend we knew we couldn’t allow United to develop that gap if we’d allowed them to win.
“The minimum we needed to take from that game last week was a draw but the way we set about that game, we completely dominated I felt.
“That was an important win and the way the results have gone today, it’s never nice to play the last game of the weekend.
“We knew the pressure was on us to go out and win and be in there still.
“We still have a lot of work to do, we made a good start to the season and then we’ve played well in the games we lost against Arsenal and Brighton which is a bit frustrating, but the signs are good.
“The pressure to stay up there and in touch is high but the players have no fear, and we try to push the other teams ahead of us.
“Chelsea have made a really fast start, 22 points out of 24 is very impressive.”
Shaw’s standout performance meant City were out of sight by the break, with the Jamaican taking her personal tally for the season to seven in eight matches in all competitions.
Our striker had grabbed a hat-trick in this fixture last season, and now has nine goals in five appearances against Tottenham in all competitions.
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But while the boss was thrilled with her goalscoring exploits, he insisted there was much more to her display than simply finding the back of the net.
“Yeah, I’m pleased for Bunny,” he said.
“Apart from the goals, her performance was good as well, held it up well and put them under pressure at the top end and getting an assist as well.
“She’s a big player for us and that will have given her a lot of confidence tonight.”
