A performance to build on despite defeat, says Taylor | OneFootball

Gareth Taylor believes City can take plenty of positives from our Barclays Women’s Super League clash with Chelsea despite ultimately coming up short.

City’s 12 shots on the hosts’ goal in a lively first 45 is the most the reigning champions have faced in a WSL half since September 2013.

But we weren’t able to capitalise, with Fran Kirby’s strike before the break and a Maren Mjelde penalty ensuring the hosts came away with a 2-0 victory.

And while Taylor gave our opponents credit for the manner in which they saw out the game, he couldn't fault his players’ efforts at Kingsmeadow.

“We played really well in the first half, it was a really good reaction winning first and second balls,” he said.

“[We were up against] good opposition, and their keeper made a couple of good saves.

“[It was] disappointing to concede the goal when we looked the more likely to score but it didn't change the half-time message.

“Potentially the high energy we put in saw us drop a bit in the second half, which gave Chelsea more time on the ball.”

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It’s been a frustrating start to the 2022/23 WSL campaign for City, with defeats on the road to Chelsea and Aston Villa from our first two matches.

However, our first half display at Kingsmeadow in particular shows that Taylor’s side are moving in the right direction.

Indeed, the boss believes that City can use our performance as a foundation from which to build after the international break.

Taylor reflected: “Players make mistakes, everyone does and at the moment we have to be careful we don't jump on it.

“I saw real positives today, and I told the players that.

“They fed back to me as well and worked tremendously hard.

“That's a performance to build on.”