Manchester City 3
Durham 0

Manchester City ran out comfortable winners yesterday afternoon, defeating Durham 3-0 in the Continental Cup.

The victory puts them into the semi-finals of the tournament.

Before the match, Durham captain Caroline Dixon warned her former club that they were in for a difficult afternoon but things did not transpire that way.

Krystle Johnston and England internationals Toni Duggan and Jill Scott were on the scoresheet in what was an easy afternoon for City.

The hosts had a number of chances in the first half but found the opposition goalkeeper Danielle Hill in inspired form.

Johnston finally broke the deadlock after 27 minutes. She found herself with space at the back-post and side-footed the ball in the net to give City the lead.

Duggan nearly doubled the lead a few minutes later but despite her shot beating Hill, it cannoned back off the post.

The England striker did get on the scoresheet with seven minutes to go of the first half when Natasha Flint played her through and Duggan didn’t need another chance, placing the ball past Hill.

A minute later Duggan found the net but the goal was ruled out for offside.

City continued to dominate after the break and Duggan continued to cause havoc for the home side, with the 22-year-old unlucky not to grab her second of the game when her shot fizzed over the bar.

The game was put to bed in the 83rd minute when Scott met Danielle Young’s inch-perfect cross and her header beat Hill.

The rest of the game was played out with the hosts contuing to press in search for a fourth.