Julie Blakstad’s stunning first Manchester City goal has bamboozled boss Gareth Taylor.
City breezed past Leicester City 4-0 at Academy Stadium as goals from Blakstad, Caroline Weir, Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood helped them move level on points with Manchester United in the Women’s Super League table. Blakstad grabbed the third goal before the break as her strike from the left-hand side – potentially meant as a cross – flew past Foxes goalkeeper Demi Lambourne.
Taylor is loving having the Norwegian ace’s attacking instincts at his disposal but admits he isn’t convinced her stunning effort was intentional. The City boss, 49, said: “Julie [Blakstad] tells me it was a deliberate strike.
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The City boss, 49, said: “Julie [Blakstad] tells me it was a deliberate strike. But I’ve still to be convinced! She is more of an attacking player than Demi [Stokes], which is why we went with her. And it worked well, [Blakstad and Hemp] had some good sequences between them. I think it’s important we got a win at this stage of the season - these games are not easy as Leicester are fighting for their lives.”
City skipper Ellen White had the first real chance of the game but her low effort was repelled by Lambourne. But the hosts broke the deadlock in the 16th minute when Weir guided the ball into the far corner from a Chloe Kelly cutback. Hemp had a great chance to double the lead after a lofted pass from White but dragged her shot wide of the Leicester goal.
But she made no mistake when the ball fell to her in the box in the 43rd minute, dinking it over the goalkeeper for her seventh league goal of the season. Next came Blakstad’s thunderbolt, before Greenwood coolly slotted home a penalty after Hemp was fouled by Lambourne in the box.
City host Brighton in their penultimate game of the season on May 4 and Taylor, who will be hoping for a United slip-up in their clash against West Ham, said: “I think it’s just about remaining calm and making sure we do the right things.
“The quality of our chances is always going to be the difference between us [and Manchester United]. The important thing is focusing on the next game and nothing too far ahead. The fact that we are in this position, having this opportunity in our hands, I think is great.”
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