Cushing: We saw Miedema’s level against Chelsea | OneFootball

Nick Cushing believes Vivianne Miedema showcased her ‘world class’ talents during City’s 2-0 UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-final first-leg victory over Chelsea.

The Netherlands international started among the substitutes at the Joie Stadium, but came from the bench at the interval to score twice and hand the Blues an early advantage heading into next week’s deciding tie at Stamford Bridge.

Miedema’s first saw her showcase her poacher’s instinct to tuck into an empty net after the ball had struck the cross bar before she coolly slotted home in the closing stages to double our lead.

Although Cushing revealed the Barclays Women’s Super League’s all-time scorer was disappointed not to start the clash with the Londoners, he expressed his delight in seeing her stamp her authority on proceedings after her introduction.

“I’m sure you can imagine what she said [after starting among the substitutes],” he declared,

“I expected it and for every world class player when they don’t play, but it’s not that bit I think is almost the defining factor between a top player.

WATCH: Nick Cushing really proud of Man City's performance

“It’s what happens when you go on and I’ve seen far too many times a player hasn’t turned the frustration into a world class performance.

“Tonight, we saw the level of Viv, in or out, I said she’d go into the team at half-time, but she went in to be the difference and to do that shows her level.

“I was confident if she got chances, she’d score, we just have to create those moments for her. Tonight, we saw many and she thinks she should've had a hat-trick!”

Among a swathe of standout displays at the Joie Stadium, Academy starlet Gracie Prior continued her fantastic maiden professional season with a display beyond her youthful years.

The centre-back was instrumental in our watertight defence and, alongside Laia Aleixandri, kept the mercurial Mayra Ramirez off the scoresheet as we maintained a clean sheet.

And Cushing detailed the impression Prior has left on him after full-time.

WATCH: Match highlights: City 2-0 Chelsea

He added: “[I’ve been] incredibly impressed [by Prior].

“These moments can swing both ways, you want to give young players the opportunity but not force them too much.

“At the same time I wouldn't take her out, she’s proving she can play in these huge games.

“That brings a lot of responsibility when you look at how we play but she’s embraced that, she has a strong mentality, learned and done a lot of work and you saw those improvements.

“She’s against a WC striker and physically and mentally competing with the pressure of going against Ramirez. She sustained her level tonight so I was really pleased.”