MY ACCOUNT
Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor insists Manchester City are not Women’s Super League title favourites despite yesterday’s win over Chelsea.
Filippa Angeldahl’s 21st-minute strike gave the home side the lead at the Academy Stadium and Lauren Hemp scored nine minutes later to secure all three points.
The win saw City leapfrog Emma Hayes’ side and put them level on points with Manchester United at the top of the table.
It was a commanding performance from the Citizens but Taylor is under no illusions that Chelsea are still the favourites to win the league.
He said: “It’s still Chelsea’s [to lose] with their game in hand.
“I always look at Chelsea as the benchmark. It’s a big step [to beat them], particularly where we are in the season and how tight it is at the top. It brings big confidence.
“We’ve not done anything yet — six games left, lots of challenges left — but we go into it with high levels of confidence.
“To get to a position where we are after losing those two games at the start of the season, it’s remarkable.
“The players need to take credit for that. We’re a newish team. To be in this position now is top.”
Hayes points to hectic schedule
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes refused to criticise her players after the defeat to City, suggesting that the congested fixture schedule is the reason for their “sluggish” performance.
The Londoners were competing in their third away game in seven days and there was a clear lack of energy from those who featured on Sunday.
Hayes, 46, said: “I thought we were so sluggish in the first half. This was our third away game in the week and it looked like it.
“I thought that was the difference between the two teams, but well done to City.
“We didn’t have the legs. Your minds can want to do a million things, but if your legs can’t, that’s a real challenge.
“I don’t think people realise how tough it is for our third away game in seven days, particularly after travelling to Lyon. It is really, really tough.”
Madness on Merseyside
Liverpool were held by Everton in a controversial Merseyside derby that saw the Reds have a goal ruled out to the frustration of manager Matt Beard.
Gabby George put the Toffees ahead at Goodison Park in her 100th appearance for the club before Katie Stengel levelled proceedings in the 40th minute.
Leighanne Robe looked to have completed the comeback in the second half but it was chalked off with the referee suggesting that there was a foul on goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan.
On the incident, Beard said: “It 100% should have stood. I can’t believe it to be perfectly honest with you, it’s crazy.
“We had enough chances to get the win and it’s another decision that’s cost us three points.”
Liverpool midfielder Missy Bo Kearns shared the sentiment, adding: “It’s obviously frustrating. We think we should have got three points but that’s football, at least we’re creating chances.”
Derby delight
Arsenal emerged victorious in the North London derby on Saturday and increased Tottenham’s relegation woes under interim boss Vicky Jepson.
An early goal from Stina Blackstenius opened the floodgates at the Breyer Group Stadium and Bethany England’s first-half penalty proved to be just a consolation for Spurs as they were thrashed 5-1.
The win kept the Gunners within touching distance of the top three and head coach Jonas Eidevall could not hide his delight after the match.
He said: “We know it was gonna be a challenging game today. It was windy out there, it’s a physical Spurs team, and we’re playing them in the middle of two Champions League games.
“So considering that, I’m really, really pleased with the performance here today.
“We were brave on the ball here on a pitch that sometimes could let you down. It’s still really important to keep our identity and keep playing our way and keep playing to our strengths.”
WSL Matchday 16 results
Everton 1-1 Liverpool
Tottenham 1-5 Arsenal
Manchester United 4-0 West Ham
Manchester City 2-0 Chelsea
Aston Villa 5-0 Leicester
Reading 2-2 Brighton
