Lauren Hemp wheels away after scoring the opener against Arsenal. Image: Sportimage
Manchester City moved into the top three of the Barclays Women’s Super League for the first time this season thanks to goals from Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly during a blistering first half.
A more even second half saw Rafaelle set up a nervy finale, but the hosts held on for a big win in the race for the Champions League spots.
Let me know your thoughts and questions on the game below…
I was sceptical about how Hasegawa would do in that Walsh role, but she's been outstanding from day one. I'd love to see her pushed further forward but she's just been too good in that position.
Not surprised per say. I think she's a fantastic player who is better suited to being further forward, but I always had a feeling she'd be used deeper until they find a permanent Walsh solution. She's so good on the ball and reads the game so well she can do that role.
We've seen Eidevall move towards a more physical team, phased out smaller, less physically imposing players like Nobbs and Iwabuchi and yet Arsenal still struggled to deal with City's physicality. The manager said in the past that physicality is one of the things that set Europe's elite apart from the rest but we still feel a long way off from being comfortable matching that side of the game regularly.
It's an interesting observation. I think physically they were ok, they battled, they just looked uncomfortable in the system, especially the back three when coming out, stepping in and playing out. Wubben-Moy in particular, Williamson also struggled as her role was a bit nullified and the wing-backs were left exposed against Hemp and Kelly.
She certainly has stepped up a few gears. I watched her against Villa the other week and thought she struggled but I think a good chunk of the England players have taken some time to get up to speed. I haven't watched City every weekend but thought she was as good as I've seen her in a while today.
Arsenal were always going to come back into it second half with the change of shape and little to lose. City were certainly wasteful first half and I was surprised Arsenal went with the back three again, but Jonas Eidevall hinted it was down to which players could play what minutes after 120 minutes on Wednesday night.
I was sceptical about how Hasegawa would do in that Walsh role, but she's been outstanding from day one. I'd love to see her pushed further forward but she's just been too good in that position.
Are you surprised how well she's done?
Not surprised per say. I think she's a fantastic player who is better suited to being further forward, but I always had a feeling she'd be used deeper until they find a permanent Walsh solution. She's so good on the ball and reads the game so well she can do that role.
We've seen Eidevall move towards a more physical team, phased out smaller, less physically imposing players like Nobbs and Iwabuchi and yet Arsenal still struggled to deal with City's physicality. The manager said in the past that physicality is one of the things that set Europe's elite apart from the rest but we still feel a long way off from being comfortable matching that side of the game regularly.
It's an interesting observation. I think physically they were ok, they battled, they just looked uncomfortable in the system, especially the back three when coming out, stepping in and playing out. Wubben-Moy in particular, Williamson also struggled as her role was a bit nullified and the wing-backs were left exposed against Hemp and Kelly.
Have you noticed a change recently in how Chloe Kelly has been utilised? Really came into form since the Winter break after a slow start.
She certainly has stepped up a few gears. I watched her against Villa the other week and thought she struggled but I think a good chunk of the England players have taken some time to get up to speed. I haven't watched City every weekend but thought she was as good as I've seen her in a while today.
I'd be pissed that City only bagged 2 goals considering how badly Arsenal played. Arsenal did everything but use wrapping paper and ribbon.
Arsenal were always going to come back into it second half with the change of shape and little to lose. City were certainly wasteful first half and I was surprised Arsenal went with the back three again, but Jonas Eidevall hinted it was down to which players could play what minutes after 120 minutes on Wednesday night.
Yada, yada, yada. Never seen so many play so poorly. It was like a soccer 101, demonstration.
Arsenal didn't show up and City did.