Five memorable Taylor wins | OneFootball

Following City’s 5-0 win over West Ham, Gareth Taylor has now overseen 100 wins in all competitions at the helm of our Women’s Team.

Thanks to the success at the Joie Stadium, where goals from Leila Ouahabi, Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw (two) Laura Blindkilde Brown and Jess Park helped us to three vital Barclays Women’s Super League points – the boss now possesses an impressive 72% win record.

Since his appointment in May 2020 he has presided over a number of scintillating performances and victories which has helped us battle for league titles, qualify for the Champions League and win major honours.

Here, in celebration of his 100th in the dugout, we look at five memorable victories of his tenure so far.

CITY 2-1 ARSENAL (OCTOBER 2020)

City made a statement of intent under Taylor by securing passage into the 2020 FA Cup final with a hard fought 2-1 win over Arsenal at the Joie Stadium in October 2020.

The hosts started strongly and took the lead through a sublime Steph Houghton free-kick which our legendary defender beautifully curled home from the edge of the area after 19 minutes.

Undeterred from falling behind, the Gunners equalised soon after when Jordan Nobbs’ audacious first-time effort beat Ellie Roebuck.

The first half was to be a classic and we restored our lead before the interval when Sam Mewis smashed home her maiden goal in English football which proved to be the difference.

WATCH: Highlights: City 2-1 Arsenal

EVERTON 1-3 CITY (NOVEMBER 2020)

Following our Gunners triumph, City lifted our first major honour under Taylor in the rearranged 2020 FA Cup final at Wembley after beating Everton 3-1.

In an intriguing tactical battle in the capital, Sam Mewis broke the deadlock with a powerful header after the influential midfielder met Alex Greenwood’s pinpoint cross into the box.

However, the Toffees cancelled out our opener with Valerie Gauvin’s header from a corner which forced extra-time.

City then put our foot on the accelerator in the additional period with goals from substitutes Georgia Stanway and Janine Beckie sealed the precious win which helped us retain the historic trophy.

WATCH: Classic highlights: City 3-1 Everton 2020

CITY 3-1 CHELSEA (MARCH 2022)

Our second trophy of Taylor’s tutelage arrived in the form of the Continental Cup after we played out an enthralling final with Chelsea.

In front of a sold-out crowd at Plough Lane, the teams took part in a pulsating showpiece which saw City record a deserved 3-1 victory.

After falling behind when Chelsea opened the scoring through Sam Kerr, we battled back through a fantastic second-half display which saw us flip the tie on its head before full-time.

Caroline Weir equalised shortly after the interval before Ellen White handed the Blues the lead with just over 30 minutes remaining.

The former then doubled her personal tally and extended our lead further with a sweetly-struck volley to spark jubilant scenes among players, staff and supporters.

WATCH: Continental Cup final highlights: Chelsea 1-3 City

MANCHESTER UNITED 1-3 CITY (NOVEMBER 2023)

Taylor’s side inflicted the first defeat at Old Trafford on Marc Skinner’s team with an electric performance away from home in the Barclays Women’s Super League.

After falling behind, we fought back to record a memorable victory in sodden conditions.

Katie Zelem handed the hosts the lead from the penalty spot in the first half, but we flipped the match on its head before the break with two quickfire goals.

Jill Roord equalised with a composed finish before Lauren Hemp sparked wild celebrations with a curled effort handing the visitors a deserved advantage.

We then carried our momentum into the second half when Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw’s tireless pressing paid dividends when she blocked Mary Earps’ clearance which sent the ball flying into the back of the net.

Laia Aleixandri was later dismissed for two cautions, but we held on for a memorable WSL victory.

WATCH: Manchester United 1-3 City: Classic highlights

CITY 3-1 MANCHESTER UNITED (MARCH 2024)

In front of over 40,000 supporters at the Etihad Stadium, Jess Park was at the heart of our fantastic 3-1 victory over Manchester United in the WSL.

The England international scored twice and assisted Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw’s record-breaking 68th goal for the Club.

After even opening exchanges, Park lit the blue touch paper when she volleyed home Leila Ouahabi’s accurate cross from the right.

The 22-year-olf then showed her poacher’s instinct to score her second when she ghosted into the box to poke home Alanna Kennedy’s flicked header on the cusp of half-time.

Taylor’s side then continued our momentum into the second half when Bunny coolly slotted past Mary Earps which represented her 68th in sky blue – making her the Club’s all-time leading scorer.

Marc Skinner’s side cut our advantage when Hannah Blundell’s cross squeezed into the net, but it didn’t dampen sky blue spirits.

WATCH: Extended highlights: City 3-1 Manchester United