Manchester City broke into the top three for the first time this season with a mature display against a toothless Arsenal. Gareth Taylor was “very impressed” after goals from Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly capped a first half displayed that fizzed with energy and purpose. Rafaelle Souza pulled one back for the visitors, but it was a worrying display as City leapfrogged them in the table.
“I have to say I was blown away with the girls in the second half the way they attacked the game…I thought physically, we just stepped up so many levels, and arguably could have scored more goals against a really dangerous team in Chelsea.”
Gareth Taylor was delighted with his Manchester City side as they lifted their fourth Continental Cup trophy, the second piece of silverware under his stewardship. His satisfaction was warranted after a second half performance which saw City dispatch of Chelsea in a way rarely seen these days.
“I just love those games [against Manchester City]. Every manager enjoys certain types of games…There’s zero to separate [us] year on year. I really respect them as a football club and what they’ve done for women’s football.”
On the eve of the 2022 Continental Cup Final, Emma Hayes was relishing the latest meeting between her Chelsea side and their close rivals, Manchester City. Despite all their battles over the last few years, this will in fact be the first time these two sides have met in a major final, with their semi-final meetings infamous at this stage.
Manchester City progressed to the quarterfinals of the Continental Cup with a dominant victory over Leicester City.
The FA Cup returned to the Academy Stadium on Saturday afternoon as Manchester City swept past Aston Villa and into the 5th Round. It was nothing short of dominant from the hosts – professional, clinical and slick in attack.
Football, as with any walk of life, is made up of a multitude of characters. The naturally skilled; the hard workers; the energisers; the personalities – these attributes are not mutually exclusive, but they are all part of why we follow the game passionately.
Every so often, you come across a footballer who encapsulates the lot. Jill Scott is one such individual – a skilled but tough opponent on the field with an undeniably engaging and infectious nature off it.
This 2019/20 Vitality FA Women’s Cup Final understandably had a totally different feel to it. Wembley Way was without its throng of fans and the expectant buzz. Wembley echoed with the emptiness; the sounds focused on the discussions of players and coaches as the teams warmed up.
Manchester City beat Aston Villa 2-0 on the opening day of the Barclays FAWSL season at Villa Park.
Good things come to those who wait! It has been a long six months for everyone involved in the women’s game in England. With coronavirus shutting down the country, football understandably took a back seat. Leagues were curtailed, competitions cancelled or postponed, and everything was put on hold.
After around 174 days since the last competitive match was played, women’s football returns to England today on the biggest stage of them all.