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Gareth Taylor performed down the potential significance of Manchester City’s accomplishment after Khadija Shaw’s first-half strike was sufficient to safe a 1-0 victory over Chelsea and draw them degree on factors with the Women’s Super League leaders.
Though they wanted to win by at least two targets at Kingsmeadow to climb above Friday night time’s opponents, City additionally matched the Blues’ 28-goal distinction, that means Emma Hayes’ aspect stay leaders solely by advantage of their 41 targets to second-placed City, who’ve 36.
Despite the victory dramatically growing his aspect’s possibilities of unseating the four-time defending champions, Taylor seen it with measured optimism, fast to emphasize what he nonetheless sees as a protracted highway forward with a lot room for enchancment.
He mentioned: “I’m actually happy, happy with the gamers. I assumed we defended extremely nicely, and we’ve received eight video games to go. We’re excited concerning the problem.
“It’s a big step, however that’s all it’s. It’s three factors and we transfer onto the following. It’s a big step for us, there’s little question about it. I feel we’ve form of gone below the radar somewhat bit this season.
“I think we’ve tried to play our game as much as we possibly can, but we’ve added a bit of steeliness and determination to our defending now, we’re trying to improve our set plays. The signs are good. It’s just hard work from the players.”
Shaw’s WSL-leading 14th objective got here within the 14th minute of the competition at a sold-out Kingsmeadow after Chelsea skipper Erin Cuthbert gave away the ball to a powerful Jess Park, who in flip offered the striker.
The hosts thought that they had a penalty when Mayra Ramirez was introduced down by Alex Greenwood, who on replays appeared to clip the again of the January signing’s ankle with out touching the ball, however, with no VAR, Chelsea’s shout was in the end dismissed.
Hayes disagreed with referee Abigail Byrne’s resolution, claiming Ramirez sustained a “cut all the way down and inside of her ankle”, however was extra disenchanted in Chelsea’s decision-making and ending.
City’s victory snapped a 33-match unbeaten streak at Kingsmeadow, however Hayes – who will depart the Blues at the tip of this season to take up her new publish as head coach of the United States Women’s nationwide workforce – was hardly dropping sleep over the statistic.
“It’s not the sort of thing you’re going to put on my tombstone,” she joked.
“I think I’ll be remembered for the medals we get at the end of the year, and my focus is on that rather than how many fans were here, or how many wins we’ve had here. For me it’s not interesting.”
Leicester are first up for Chelsea after the worldwide break, adopted by a reunion with Taylor’s aspect of their Conti Cup semi-final on March 7.
While Hayes is little question keenly conscious of how Friday’s loss impacts the rest of the WSL season, she insisted her consideration hardly ever turns to the desk itself.
She added: “It’s close. It always has been. I’ve never felt it any different way so I don’t pay attention to it. I don’t spend time looking up or down a league. It’s like wasting time.”
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