The midfielder – who scored the only goal in last year's final – broke the deadlock shortly after half-time and strikes from Nikita Parris and England striker Toni Duggan followed in an entertaining contest in front of nearly 1,300 supporters at the Keepmoat Stadium.
And Christiansen says City had to be at the peak of their powers as they now turn their attention to Sunday’s mammoth clash with FA WSL 1 table-toppers Chelsea.
Doncaster 0-3 Man City
FA WSL Continental Tyres Cup
First Round
Thursday 23 July 2015
Keepmoat Stadium
“I’m delighted we’ve got the win and we knew Doncaster was a tough place to come,” she said. “They’re top of WSL 2 so they’ve obviously proven themselves in the women’s game.
“We played some exceptional football at times so I think the team will be going into the Chelsea game full of confidence.
“We always trust in our system that we’re going to be creating chances and it’s paid off. Doncaster did well in the first half to contain us but we kept patient and confident in our ability, and it shone through in the end.
“I couldn’t really miss my goal but I’m really delighted to get on the scoresheet. It’s about time I did really.”
City showed the threat they posed from set pieces with a couple of close efforts, but World Cup star Lucy Bronze put her half-volley over the bar and Jennifer Beattie headed just wide from a Christiansen delivery.
Doncaster’s only real chance of the half came and went just moments after Beattie’s header, with Bethany England equally wasteful as she nodded Sue Smith’s cross straight at keeper Karen Bardsley.
It took City less than three minutes to take the lead after the interval, with Christiansen volleying Demi Stokes’ cross past Hobbs.
And they doubled their lead midway through the half, with Parris tapping in at the end of an incisive passing move.
The visitors then added a third on 83 minutes, with Duggan bundling home after Hobbs denied her first effort and Rhiannon Roberts blocked from Parris.
Belles manager Glen Harris said: “We had a game plan to frustrate them and it worked really well for 45 minutes.
“We said the first 15 minutes after the break were going to be key to get them frustrated and unfortunately they got the early goal, which was a quality finish.
“Then unfortunately their fitness, strength and extra know-how just did us a little bit, but they’re a full-time professional side so it was always going to be a difficult game.
“I just said to the girls ‘We’re seeing disappointed faces, and that’s good’. We know know we need to get the girls training more, get them more ball contact time, as most of the teams are now in WSL 1. And we will: we’ll push on.”
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