Manchester City sent a clear message to their UEFA Women’s Champions’ League rivals by beating Barcelona and ending the Spanish giant’s unbeaten run.
Young defender Naomi Layzell scored her first goal in senior football to put City into a surprise lead before Khadija Shaw settled any nerves with a second 13 minutes from time.
Barcelona are running riot in Primera Division and were on a winning run of 15 matches – dating back to April.
However, they came up against a defiant City side who in front of a sold-out Joie Stadium in Manchester battled from the first to the 96th minute.
Barcelona, three times Women’s Champions’ League winners, had scored 18 goals in two league matches coming into the tie and Caroline Graham Hansen hit the post early on.
However, City were in determined form and deserved their 38th minute opener as Vivianne Miedema headed back across goal for Layzell.
Despite throwing players forward in search of an equaliser the visitors rarely troubled City goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita.
The hosts were out of sight before the final onslaught as Layzell capped a star performance by sending Shaw clear to round the goalkeeper and score.
City sit joint top of Group D following the opening game and head to Austrian side St.Polten next week full of confidence.
Talking Point – City masterclass will send shockwaves through Women’s Champions’ League
The seemingly unbeatable Barcelona side came to Manchester in a buoyant mood after dominating the early stages of Primera Division.
However, City coach Gareth Taylor had his own masterplan and a growing squad of players who looked the part against the reigning champions.
There was a togetherness in the City side and energy from the first minute until the last. Target striker Khadija Shaw caused the visitors’ defence all manner of problems with her power and her team-mates gratefully capitalised on second balls throughout the game.
Player of the Match – Naomi Layzell (Man City)
The 20-year-old defender signed from Bristol City in the summer after impressing during last season’s Women’s Super League.
Playing her first season in the Champions League against a Barcelona side full of World Cup winners she would have been forgiven for being daunted.
However, she looked rarely in trouble before capitalising on a loose ball inside the box to bundle home the opener.
Layzell then picked out striker Shaw to settle the tie before picking up what looked like an ankle injury in the closing moments.
Read the full article here
