Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor was thrilled his side secured a place in next season’s Champions League—but was less enthused about his squad’s performance in their 4-0 win at Reading on Sunday.
Lauren Hemp, Khadija Shaw, Ellen White and Alex Greenwood all netted for the visitors on the final day of the Barclays FA WSL season.
But whilst Chelsea celebrated their third consecutive title at Kingsmeadow, Taylor was left wondering if third-placed City might have done more.
“It was job done,” he said.
“I think the performance was good in spells and I thought Julie Blakstad came in and played with maturity for a young player – probably not her favourite position.
“I thought we scored some good goals and could have arguably scored a few more in the second half, but we were a little bit rushed in the final action. We were really pleased to get the job over the line to qualify for next season’s Champions League.”
The first chance fell to the visitors inside the opening four minutes as Greenwood played an exquisite ball to set Hemp away into acres of space.
The 21-year-old launched a bursting run and glided a low-driving cross but Reading’s Rachel Rowe comfortably cleared the danger.
Reading goalkeeper Grace Moloney pulled off a fantastic save to keep her side in the game before Georgia Stanway struck a fierce effort towards goal which was parried away by Moloney.
City continued to create better attacking opportunities in the first half, Hemp skipping her way past two Reading players on the right flank and firing an effort just wide into the side netting.
They took the lead in the 33 rd minute when Keira Walsh clipped an inch-perfect pass into Hemp, who did superbly well to dink her effort past Moloney, and doubled their advantage five minutes before the break.
Caroline Weir launched a bursting run on the left flank to beat Natasha Harding before squaring the ball to Shaw, who poked her effort into the back of the net.
The hosts returned energised and determined to deny City a clean sheet but couldn’t break through. Finally, in the 85 th minute, Ellen White glanced her header past Moloney as Reading failed to clear their lines from Vicky Losada’s resulting corner before Greenwood converted her spot-kick in injury time to secure a resounding victory.
Still, it wasn’t quite enough for boss Taylor, whose thoughts will soon turn to next season when City will hope to challenge for the Barclays FA Women's Super League title.
He added: “We’re playing tremendously well and we just weren’t clicking on the top end. In terms of controlling the game, it’s good and we just had to tweak a few things but continue with the belief we’ve shown.
“We hold ourselves accountable for everything in terms of performance as to when we have been good enough and where to improve. I think it’s just bravery in the decisions we make and the way we play."
