'Hook or by crook' - Man City boss in frank Liverpool admission after late Anfield WSL win
Manchester City Women boss Gareth Taylor was impressed by the way his side were able to turn things around to claim a 2-1 win over Liverpool.
Bunny Shaw’s brace helped the Citizens come from behind to claim all three points at Anfield, after Olivia Smith’s impressive first half strike had given the home side the lead at the break. The Jamaican international’s double follows her goal in the midweek victory over Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League, with her tally now up to six for the season in all competitions.
Reflecting on a third Women’s Super League win on the bounce, Taylor said: “Today was about getting over the line by hook or by crook. I felt we were a little bit flat in the first half, but that can happen, we only made two changes because we wanted to use what we had in midweek.
“We were disappointed to give away a goal when it felt like Liverpool were never going to hurt us, which makes it really difficult. I was really pleased with how we stepped up the tempo and took the game to them. We were trying to find the spaces to the sides, and we knew when we worked it to one side, we needed to move it back to the other side really quickly because Liverpool were really energetic in the way they pressed.
“Once we started to do that, it started to open up and get a few more chances. Those crossing positions are important for us, and Bunny (Shaw) getting in there is vital.”
Ayaka Yamashita was called into action for the first save of the afternoon in the ninth minute, with the City goalkeeper stopping a scuffed attempt from Smith, after a ball over the top from Marie Hobinger had split the defence open to provide her teammate with a golden opportunity.
Half chances continued to come the way of the home side, but they were unable to produce anything too testing. A header from ex-City defender Gemma Bonner was put over the bar, while an attempt from distance by Sophie Roman Haug didn’t have enough power on it to trouble Yamashita.
City’s best opportunity of the first half came the way of Lauren Hemp ahead of the half hour mark, with a one-two with Shaw allowing her to get a shot away - which went wide of the target.
The Reds, who were without head coach Matt Beard due to illness, broke the deadlock just before the break. Under pressure, Smith released a low driven shot from the edge of the box, catching Yamashita off guard, with the attempt finding the bottom corner. In the process of scoring, the 20-year-old picked up a knock, and was taken off at half-time.
Following the restart, Liverpool came close to doubling their lead on a number of occasions, with Haug unable to make the most of two chances in the box, while an attempt from Taylor Hinds was fired into the side netting.
Despite the home side’s pressure, they were quickly pegged back by the visitors, courtesy of a header from Shaw - which was placed just out of reach of Laws.
Either side of the goal, Jill Roord and Hemp both hit shots just off target, as gaps started to appear for City to exploit. Shaw had a great opportunity to claim her second go begging before eventually getting the winner, with the forward taking the ball around Laws and lifting an effort out of reach of the covering defenders; only to be denied by the post.
Chloe Kelly had also come close, as she fired an attempt in the box just off target. City’s second of the afternoon eventually came in stoppage time, with Shaw controlling the ball into the box before firing past the keeper, as the pressure proved too much for Liverpool.