Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor has heaped praise on winger Julie Blakstad following the Norwegian's goal-scoring turn against Everton on Saturday.
Blakstad featured in City's starting XI for the first time since October's Continental Cup victory over Blackburn, and the 21-year-old reapid her manager's show of faith by netting inside 32 minutes to give the visitors the lead. City were temporarily pegged back at Walton Hall Park thanks to a Rikke Sevecke goal on the stroke of half-time, but top-scorer Bunny Shaw slotted her eighth goal of the season shortly after the break to seal the three points for Gareth Taylor's side.
Blakstad was brought into the side to deputise for England forward Lauren Hemp, who picked up a thigh injury in City's 3-0 victory over Reading earlier this month. With Hemp set to undergo a further scan later this week, Blakstad's impressive weekend display promises to ease a selection headache for Gareth Taylor ahead of a busy run of fixtures before Christmas.
