Manchester City ended their Women’s Super League campaign with a 3-1 win over Everton.
The result leaves the Sky Blues in fourth position in the table, equal with Arsenal on 47 points but with an inferior goal difference, which sees them miss out on q Champions League qualification spot for next year. It's their lowest final position since 2014 when they placed fifth.
A ‘pointless’ tie lead to poor performances:
Lacklustre is the only word to describe the performances on the pitch on the WSL final day. Gareth Taylor was animated on the sidelines in the first half, spurring Deyna Castellanos to get involved in play on the half-hour mark, which she did but was alone on the energy front.
Alex Greenwood stood still with the ball trying to feint-off Izzy Christiansen, and even walked with the ball sometimes. No one was pressing yellow shirts, which allowed for too many runners through the middle.
The back line looked awkward, as if they hadn’t played together before in Ouahabi, Greenwood, Houghton and Morgan. Khadija Shaw also struggled to get into the game especially in the first half being penalised for challenges on her.
Khadija Shaw misses out on Golden Boot:
Despite smashing City’s club goal record halfway through the season, Shaw missed out on the golden boot. She scored two great goals against Everton, both from close range.
With 20 goals under her belt, she finished two behind Aston Villa’s Rachel Daly.
Khiara Keating stepping up:
At only 18 years of age she has stepped up into the first team to replace a suspended Ellie Roebuck and it seems like she has been here for years. Wise beyond her years and cool as a cucumber in between the sticks, Keating made a fantastic impression getting the back line out of some sticky situations, happy to play higher up and get more involved in play than Ellie Roebuck. She was beaten twice, but she had a great game, full of confidence to come out and collect the ball including diving saves in a busy area.
Hayley Raso and Izzy Christiansen’s goodbyes:
A founding member of City’s first professional side, Izzy Christiansen was an integral part of City's team from 2014-2018 and it was fitting to see her end her career at the Academy stadium. Her welcome into the game was lovely, as both sides lined up and applauded her walk onto the pitch, a warm well wishing into retirement.
City not lost a game on home soil this season:
Out of the 11 games City have played at the Academy Stadium this campaign, they have won eight and drawn twice in the league. They have scored 31 goals while conceding only 11 at home.
Their home record is more impressive than their away record this season - winning six of their away fixtures and losing five. They struggle to find the net in away games having scored 19 in 11 games yet conceded 14.
