High-flying City up for the WSL title fight, says Wright-Phillips | OneFootball

High-flying City up for the WSL title fight, says Wright-Phillips | OneFootball

Icon: Manchester City F.C.

Manchester City F.C.

·29 March 2023

High-flying City up for the WSL title fight, says Wright-Phillips

Article image:High-flying City up for the WSL title fight, says Wright-Phillips

Shaun Wright-Phillips says City should take enormous confidence and belief from our statement 2-0 win against Chelsea as the race for the FA Women’s Super League title enters its decisive final furlong.

A superb all-round display against the reigning champions at a sold-out Academy Stadium lifted Gareth Taylor’s side up into second place in the table, level on points with leaders Manchester United.


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With just six games of the season left, it’s shaping up to be the most competitive and fiercely fought title race in WSL history with United, City, third placed Chelsea, who are a point behind the top two but with a game in hand, and fourth placed Arsenal all battling to becoming champions.

City now face another huge match this Sunday when we travel to play Arsenal, who lie three points off the summit but with the Gunners having a crucial game in hand too.

However, Wright-Phillips – who was a special guest on last Sunday’s Matchday Live show - insists City will travel to London armed with even greater belief and confidence thanks to the manner of that standout Chelsea performance.

“The Chelsea win was of massive importance to the run of games coming up and showed a statement that we’re here for this title challenge and will see it all the way through,” the former City and England men's legend declared as the focus switches to this weekend’s trip to the capital.

“Most definitely, they should have huge confidence (from the win).

“You’ve beaten the reigning champions comfortably, if you can play that way, you’d expect you can do it to most other teams.

“Of course, it won’t be easy, but I think with the confidence that they played with that game, all they need to do is take that into the Arsenal match.

“I think they’ll get more chances on Sunday than they did against Chelsea, so it’s just a matter of doing the same against them and taking those opportunities.”

Sunday’s hugely impressive win and performance also further extended City’s unbeaten run in the league to 14 games, with our last loss coming back in September.

It’s a measure of the quality and consistency of Gareth Taylor’s side that in the process City have racked up 12 wins in that impressive run, scoring 31 goals and conceding just eight.

And for Wright-Phillips, the mental impact and belief engendered by the way we overcame the reigning champions will be of enormous importance both looking to Sunday and beyond.

“The way they play, they’ve got so much to take from this game with respect to a positive attitude and mental strength,” Wright-Phillips added.

“In the direction they’re heading, they’ve done everything right against Chelsea and will be at the height of their game mentally.

“It was the perfect way to bounce back after the FA Cup defeat (to Aston Villa) and to get a clean sheet against the league leaders shows the mindset even more.

“They just need to go and do it again, try and start fast and get those early goals again.”

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