Glasgow City moved six points clear at the top of the Scottish Women’s Premier League after a comprehensive 8-1 win over Dundee United.
Erin Greening put the 15-time champions ahead after just 45 seconds before Hayley Lauder doubled their advantage with just five minutes played.
United were hoping Danni McGinley’s goal after 10 minutes would start their comeback, but any hopes of that were dampened as Emily Whelan secured the visitors’ third goal two minutes later to give City a 3-1 lead at the break.
It was more or less the same in the second half at Gussie Park as Lauren Davidson played as Glasgow City’s fourth before Greening was again on target from a corner.
Four minutes later, Greening completed his hat-trick from an almost identical set-piece to make it 6-1, with two goals from Lisa Forrest completing City’s win, under the head coach Acting Leanne Ross.
After a 13th league win, Hamilton Academical will be next at home, while Dundee United, who drop to 10th place, host Glasgow Women in the ‘city of discovery’.
Heart of Midlothian 0-0 Rangers
Glasgow City’s lead was extended after defending champions Rangers were held by Hearts, a result that sees Malky Thomson’s side fall to third place.
The Glasgow side dominated possession and created several chances but came up against a strong Hearts defense which has kept seven clean sheets this season and remains unbeaten at home.
Kirsty Howat, who scored in the Sky Sports Cup final, came closest in both halves – only to be denied by Hearts keeper Charlotte Parker-Smith.
The result is the first time Hearts have taken points from Rangers in the league and then head coach Eva Olid said: “Today is so important for us. Teams don’t believe they can get a result against the top three.
“This result is to show all the teams in the league that we have to believe in it.”
Rangers boss Thomson said: “The only thing we can question is the score.
“We had enough possession in the game, we created chances, but we have to take risks. It is something that we will discover, over the seasons, that you have to be clinical, especially when you also have a lot of the ball that we have. When we create chances, we have to score.
Both teams are then out with Rangers at Motherwell and Hearts heading north to face Aberdeen.
Glasgow Women 0-8 Celtic
Celtic capitalized on Rangers’ loss of points as they beat Glasgow Women to take second place in the table, one point ahead of their rivals and six off the top.
Despite losing top scorer Clarissa Larisey to Swedish side Hacken, goals weren’t a problem thanks to Amy Gallacher.
The former Hibs player has scored four times, including three in the first half after Natalie Ross’ opener.
Gallacher’s first came as she clung to a through ball to drive home, before two more goals in first-half stoppage time sealed a hat-trick.
She also opened the scoring after the break, as Celtic led 5-0, before Celtic’s dominating victory was sealed with goals from Caitlyn Hayes, Jacynta and Maria McAneny.
Fran Alonso’s side now have 62 goals in the SWPL and have the best goal difference in the top flight.
They could move within three points of first place on Wednesday when they host Motherwell, while bottom club Glasgow Women travel to Hamilton Academical in a draw if the side are to avoid relegation.
Aberdeen 2-0 Hamilton Academic
At the other end, Aberdeen came out of the bottom two with a win over Hamilton Academical who dropped into the relegation play-off spot.
The teams were separated by just one point going into the game and after a tense start, it was Hannah Stewart who scored the Dons’ opener, heading in from a corner for her first of the season.
Aberdeen secured their victory with just over an hour of play as top scorer Bayley Hutchison kept her cool to come home and take her to ninth place.
The Accies could move out of the bottom two if they beat Glasgow Women on Wednesday, while next for Aberdeen will be a tough home test against Hearts.
Motherwell 0-2 Hibernian
Hibernian are now just five points behind rivals Hearts after a hard-fought win over Motherwell.
It took until the 65th minute for Hibs to find the opening goal as Shannon McGregor struck home from the edge of the box for her first SWPL goal of the season.
The Edinburgh side sealed the three points and some revenge after losing the reverse game earlier in the season, thanks to Katie Lockwood with 10 minutes to play, as she scored her first goal for the Hibees.
Hibs will then be at home to Spartans while Motherwell, who are now four points behind the top six, play Celtic on Wednesday.
Partick Thistle 3-0 Spartans
Thistle continued his fine form as he extended his hold on a top-six finish with a victory over the Spartans.
Cara Henderson, who recently extended his stay with the Jags, opened the scoring after 21 minutes before Rachel Donaldson doubled their lead before the break, scoring her fourth SWPL goal of the campaign.
The Jags ensured the three points stayed at Petershill Park as Abbie Ferguson secured her third with four minutes remaining.
The Spartans, who are now six points behind Thistle and just four points above the relegation play-off point, next visit Hibs while Thistle travels to Celtic.
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This article is originally published on news-24.fr