WSL: Reaction as Bristol City relegated with defeat by leaders Man City

Here's how it stands at the top of the table then.

Manchester City have a six-point advantage over Chelsea but have played two games more than the defending champions.

Man City also have an advantage when it comes to goal difference, could that be the deciding factor as they look for a first league title since 2016?

Or will Chelsea's experience see them over the line in Emma Hayes' final season in charge?

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Bristol City captain Megan Connolly speaking to Sky Sports: "I think for 60, 65 minutes we did really well. Manchester City are a quality team and they kind of opened us. I think we can be proud. For 60, 65 minutes we took it to them and their quality showed in the end. Kept looking at the gaps and playing it into the pockets."

On relegation: "We still have two more games left and we will continue to do our job. We are gutted. It's not for the lack of trying. Small margins cost us. A lot of teams in games when it was quite tight the small margins caught up with us. It's still disappointing. The support is always there. It is our job, we are professionals and we prepare regardless of the situation.

"This is our job. This is your life. We will be back on the training pitch this week. The situation is what it is. Whatever players cling on to, that's up to them and it is up to us to do our job and make ourselves proud, our families proud and the community proud.

"We have a very young team so for a lot of players it was an eye-opener and I hope that sticks with them. It is the best league in the world and it is an honour to play in this league. We will focus on next week regardless of our situation."

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The people have spoken.

It's pretty comprehensive in favour of Manchester City.

I guess Chelsea's difficult run-in has swung the balance in favour of Manchester City to be crowned champions.

It's certainly going to be an interesting few weeks.

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Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor speaking to Sky Sports: "Our second half performance was very good. We were poor in the first half, we were lethargic, we were flat, we were slow in moving the ball. We adjusted some things, a few minor tweaks.

"We spoke about body language, about intensity of our play. You have to give credit to Bristol, they were very good. We had to really find some bits of quality to unlock the door.

"Mary’s goal is a great goal, she did so well in the second goal as well. At half-time I would have been happy with 1-0, so to come away with 4-0 we are really pleased."

On what he said about body language at half-time: "I don’t mind mistakes, I just want players to show positive energy. It’s fine to make mistakes, but don’t slump your shoulders, don’t show everyone you made a mistake.

"When you do that and the energy is not there, we end up getting a first half like we did. We were the opposite of that in the second half. We were so good."

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Bristol City manager Lauren Smith speaking to Sky Sports after the Robins' relegation was confirmed: "I think we have been sat at the bottom of the table for the season. It has always been a mountain to climb. Some of the performance we have been very proud of but haven't got the results. I think we have showed and we haven't shown up for 90 minutes and that's shown at the end of the season."

On the changes she made in the second half against Man City: "Amelie [Thestrup] was really making our press effective and having to change her and change the plan a little bit, and then City came out and were more aggressive. They ultimately found that one and turned the screw a little bit."

On the future: "We have to start looking at what next year looks like. We have to continue to build and make sure our fanbase is as incredible next year as it is now. We will be looking to continue this trend and build the excitement in Bristol.

"We talk about the journey a lot of the time. This is part of that journey for them. We have two more games and many more seasons ahead. Everything they have done this season they can be proud of and that is experience. If this makes them better, that's part of the development we do here."

On whether the manager in charge next year will be her: "I hope so."

SMS Message: With all respect to Bristol City, Man City have not increased their GD enough tonight. Chelsea can capitalise when they host Bristol City next Sunday. from Gordon

With all respect to Bristol City, Man City have not increased their GD enough tonight. Chelsea can capitalise when they host Bristol City next Sunday.

Manchester City's Mary Fowler speaking to Sky Sports about what was said half-time and if players were feeling the pressure: "The only pressure we felt was the pressure we put on ourselves. We are in the title race and expect more from ourselves and in the first half we weren't finishing our chances."

On her first goal: "I've been having some shocking shots in training so I just hoped that one was going to go on target."

On the pressure replacing Khadija Shaw: "We have attacking players that are all capable of getting goals. Today our front three moved around quite a bit and tried to do something different."

On getting a consistent run in the side: "It feels really good to get more game time. I try to bring my best to the team and having been on the side for a while I just try to stay focused in training and be a good team mate on the side."

Manchester City now boast a six-point lead at the top of the WSL but Chelsea, who are second, have two games in hand.

Here's how the run-in looks for the sides in first and second.

Manchester City:

• Manchester City v Arsenal - 5 May
• Aston Villa v Manchester City - 18 May

Chelsea:

• Liverpool v Chelsea - 1 May
• Chelsea v Bristol City - 5 May
• Tottenham v Chelsea - 15 May
• Manchester United v Chelsea - 18 May

Would you rather have the points in the bag or the games in hand?

Who do you fancy for the title? Hit thumbs up for Manchester City or thumbs down for Chelsea.

Plenty inside Ashton Gate have stayed to applaud Bristol City's lap of honour. The Robins have not shown a lack of effort this season, but have lacked quality at important moments.

Unless they win their final two matches (including away to Chelsea next weekend), then they will set a new lowest points total in a 22-game WSL season.

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As expected in terms of the scoreline. But from Bristol City's point of view, really good first half.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing but Man City went through the gears tonight. Job done for them.

They roll on and continue on their merry way.

And that's the final action of the game.

Bristol City held on in there for just over an hour but ultimately ran out of steam as Manchester City's class shone through.

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I just wonder how important that goal from Alex Greenwood may be.

We've got a break in play as Jamie-Lee Napier goes down after a coming together with Jess Park.

She's up to her feet pretty quickly.

Chloe Kelly blazes over the crossbar.

She gets right under the ball as it bounces invitingly on the edge of the box.

The attendance is announced as 8,749.

Another great turnout by Bristol City fans, sadly not matched by the result for their team.

Manchester City work it through to Mary Fowler but she miscontrols and it rolls through to Shae Yanez.

This could be a long eight minutes too.

Manchester City are working the ball around inside their own half. Bristol City are happy to sit off.

There's not a great deal happening.