Goals from Lauren Hemp and Mary Fowler proved to be enough for Barclays Women’s Super League title hopefuls Manchester City as they saw off winless West Ham 2-0 at the Joie Stadium.

City boss Gareth Taylor had made five changes to his team from last week’s win against Brighton as he rotated his squad with Wednesday night’s Champions League clash with Barcelona in mind.

And the extra strength in depth coming off the bench ensured it was a comfortable finish to a game in which City had struggled to see off a resolute West Ham.

Despite having the ball in the net after two minutes through Viviane Asseyi, which was ruled out for offside, West Ham offered very little in the first half as Manchester City dominated possession and chances.

England international Lauren Hemp was at the heart of the best City attacking moves as she combined well with Spain left back Leila Ouahabi to send a series of crosses flashing past the West Ham goal.

It was no surprise when Hemp opened the scoring after 10 minutes with a composed left-foot finish following confusion in the Hammers defence. Fowler looked set to shoot but when she lost possession it was Hemp who reacted quickest to beat West Ham keeper Kinga Szemik.

City should have made it two shortly afterwards when Hemp sent Australian Jill Roord racing clear down down the left. Roord, who was making her first start after recovering from an ACL injury, maybe should have done better as she saw her shot saved by Szemik.

West Ham rarely entered City’s half except to chase the ball as the home side retained possession, often using the whole length of the pitch to build up their attacks with centre halves Alex Greenwood and Laia Aleixandri controlling the game.

When the visitors did threaten it was through captain Katrina Gorry, whose cross was headed over by Iceland international Dagny Brynjarsdottir.

At times it seemed too easy for City to carve out opportunities as Hemp headed over from six yards.

Hemp started the second half in the same vein with a thumping shot which Szemik did well to tip onto the crossbar and moments later the winger should have scored but blazed over from 10 yards.

West Ham had the occasional foray into the City half, with substitute Seraina Piubel driving straight at Akaya Yamashita and then, with 20 minutes remaining, slicing a good chance wide, which would have levelled the match.

A minute later the industrious Fowler made the game safe after substitute Khadija Shaw had intercepted Shelina Zadorsky’s back pass and crossed for the Australian to head home.

Ouahabi could have made it three 10 minutes from time but her fierce drive from outside the penalty area rattled the crossbar and rebounded to safety.