Manchester City have taken a “big step” in the Women’s Super League title race, says manager Gareth Taylor.
They are trying to win a first league title in eight years, with Chelsea scooping up four successive crowns under manager Emma Hayes.
“I’m really pleased, proud of the players,” said Taylor.
“It’s a big step for us. We have eight games to go, we’re excited about the challenge and it’s a big step, but that’s all it is. It’s three points and we move on to the next.”
It was Taylor’s first win at Kingsmeadow, a place which he admitted had “frustrated” him. And it came off the back of an ever-improving defensive record as City pick up a first victory here since 2016.
“We are really determined this season,” he added. “In the past, our performances have been quite good in certain games that we’ve lost or drawn but we’ve been a bit soft in those moments defensively. Now, there’s a new-found determination in the team.
“We haven’t hidden our ambitions about what we want to do. We go into every competition to win it. What Chelsea built here is what we’re trying to achieve but it’s really difficult.”
‘Mentality shift’ pushing City in title race
Taylor was full of praise once again for 19-year-old goalkeeper Khiara Keating, who backed up last week’s strong performance against Arsenal with several crucial interventions.
Keating has played her role in City’s defensive record, with this their third successive clean sheet in the WSL, while they have conceded just eight goals in 14 league games.
That could prove to be a crucial factor in their title challenge with the WSL’s top scorer Khadija Shaw – who slotted in the winner – guaranteeing goals at the other end.
Former Manchester City striker Ellen White told BBC Two there has been “a mentality shift” at the club this season.
“They feel confident and believe they can come to Kingsmeadow and beat Chelsea,” added White.
“I said I wanted to see more from them in the second half but what we saw was more of was game management.”
