Man City Women 2 – 0 Chelsea Women – Match Report & Highlights

Gareth Taylor predicted that Manchester City might win the league as Manchester United and Manchester City drew 1-1 at the Etihad Stadium in December. “We want to win the league. He continued, “We are not just thinking about the Champions League.” “We’ve made it possible for us to win the league. If we win every game we play in the remaining part of the season, we’ll win the league.

Taylor has a record of seven wins, one tie, and a 2-0 victory over Chelsea, the current Women’s Super League champions. She may be a combination of both, as evidenced by her success.

Due to a higher goal differential than Chelsea, who lost on Sunday, City and United, who are now leading the league in terms of points, are now tied for first place. Despite playing one more game in London than either Chelsea or Arsenal, the two Manchester teams are presently one point ahead of Chelsea and three points ahead of Arsenal.

The Londoners were startled away from home, even though Chelsea would still be ahead if Emma Hayes’ team win their game in hand on Sunday.
Even though Chelsea would still be in the lead if Emma Hayes’ team won their game in hand on Sunday, the Londoners were shocked on the road.

Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly were particularly effective on the wings for City, who played well. They took advantage of Chelsea’s defensive confusion as Millie Bright, an England defender, was out due to an injury sustained in their 1-0 victory over Lyon on Wednesday night.

As Hayes’ team faced off against the eight-time Champions League champions and defending champions of Europe, City had a week to get ready for Chelsea’s arrival. That may be what gives City the advantage in this closest-ever title contest. They would undoubtedly prefer to be competing in both the FA Cup and Europe, but they only have one goal right now, whereas Chelsea and Arsenal’s opponents the following week are in the midst of difficult Champions League quarterfinal matches, and Chelsea and Manchester United are juggling FA Cup semifinal matches.

At the Academy Stadium in front of 5,222 spectators, it was a one-way street right away as City’s persistent push forced mistakes out of a fatigued Chelsea team that was playing without Fran Kirby and Pernille Harder due to injury.

The home team finally broke through in the 21st minute, and Chelsea was directly responsible for the goal. When a space didn’t open up, Hayes’ team circulated the ball around the defense in an attempt to get a goal. Filippa Angeldahl intercepted the errant pass, played a one-two with Hemp, and swept the ball past the goalie who was at fault after Ann-Katrin Berger kicked it away with Kelly waiting.

For City’s second goal, there was also carelessness at the back. Following a corner, the opposing team was unable to get the ball out of the box. Kelly whipped the ball back in from the right, and while Laura Coombs and Kadeisha Buchanan fought for the header, the ball fell pleasantly to Hemp, who slammed it in.

The team’s best attacking outlet, Lauren James, was substituted by Johanna Rytting Kaneryd in the 36th minute as Hayes saw the game was slipping away from them. Defensive midfielder Sophie Ingle was also replaced by Niamh Charles.

In the middle, Yui Hasegawa was in charge of a tactical adjustment that had little impact on the City and Chelsea players since they were immobile in the absence of a light blue shirt coming down on them. Late in the game, Khadija Shaw’s header floated into the top of the net, allowing City the opportunity to further extend their lead, but they had already caused enough harm in the first half.

It has been some time since Hayes’ team displayed a lack of resiliency in the face of challenges, and it has also been some time since the manager herself conveyed a sense of helplessness from the sidelines. A club that hasn’t been playing at its best all season, but has been doing enough, may have finally succumbed to the injuries and the schedule after an ugly 3-1 loss to Arsenal in the Continental League Cup final and this defeat to City in the league.