Teenager Lily Murphy marked her first Manchester Metropolis begin up with the opening purpose for the length of their 2-0 victory against St Polten.
Dutch defender Kerstin Casparij scored the opposite Metropolis purpose as they proceed to be with a excellent file on this year’s UEFA Ladies folk’s Champions League and high of Community D.
The most straightforward dampener on a dominant display from Gareth Taylor’s aspect used to be a serious-taking a stare injury for central defender Alex Greenwood.
Metropolis additionally had to adapt to being without central striker Khadija Shaw and no matter controlling possession within the first half of, they had been without an opener.
Nonetheless, as the company began to tire, Metropolis won control and Aoba Fujino despatched a ball into the field on 56 minutes which refrained from the defence and came one day of Murphy at the back put up.
The Eastern ahead repeated the identical transfer 10 minutes later, this time sliding the ball into the field for Casparij to receive.
Murphy had chances to add to her and Metropolis’s tally within the latter stages nevertheless failed to search out the aim when twice thru on purpose.
“It’s the moments that you just dream of, to total it at this age is so particular,” stated 18-year-outmoded Murphy after scoring her first senior purpose.
“To total it with my childhood membership is so particular. I valid tried to safe within the field and safe on the tip of it, fortunately I did. We’re dominant, we valid settle on to win every sport and be ruthless on the pitch.”
City head to Barcelona next Wednesday night knowing that they will top the group if they avoid defeat.
Talking point – City hold breath over injuries to Greenwood and Shaw
Manchester City coach Gareth Taylor confirmed pre-match that star striker Khadija Shaw was missing from his squad following ‘an issue’ during training and needed assessing.
At home this season, City had won every game coming into the match and had scored eight goals across their last three at home.
However, with Shaw missing the hosts were short of a main outlet up front during the first half before finding a direction of play in the second 45 minutes.
City could also be without central defender and skipper Alex Greenwood, who was stretchered off the pitch with a knee injury in the first half.
They both add to an injury list which includes Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly, Vivianne Miedema and Laura Combes.
However, the substantial injury list has opened the door for the likes of teenager Murphy to make their mark against defending champions Barcelona next week.
Player of the match – Aoba Fujino
While Lily Murphy will rightfully steal the headlines, it was Fujino who terrorised the St Polten defenders. The Japanese star was marked by two defenders at times but used her footwork to send inviting crosses into the box.
Eventually, Murphy capitalised and gave City the opening goal they needed to break a stubborn defence.
After the opener, Fujino caused further problems and also provided an assist for Casparij to score a second and put the game out of sight.
Player ratings
Manchester City: Yamashita 6, Casparij 8, Kennedy 7, Greenwood 6, Ouahabi 8, Park 7, Hasegawa 7, Blindkilde Brown 7, Fujino 8, Fowler 7, Murphy 8
Subs: Aleixandri 7, Prior 6, Thomas 6
St Polten: Schluter 7, Mattner-Trembleau 6, Johanning 6, Balog 6, Touon 6, D’Angelo 6, Dubcova 6, Hillebrand 7, Mikolajova 6, Brunnthaler 6, Pekel 7.
Subs: Glibo 6, Madl 6, Meyer 6, Schumacher 6, Zver 6
Match highlights
29’ – GREENWOOD INJURY: A loose pass resulted in Brunnthaler breaking forward. Greenwood went in for the challenge and has suffered a nasty knee injury. She knew instantly it was a bad one and is stretchered off.
45’ – D’ANGELO SAVING CHALLENGE: Fujino with a darting run and picks out the run of Fowler who would have had an easy tap in at goal. However, defender D’Angelo reads the situation excellently and makes a diving challenge.
56’ – GOAL! MANCHESTER CITY 1 (MURPHY) ST POLTEN 0: On her first start teenager Murphy slides the ball home. Fujino with a darting run to the byline and as the covering defenders and diving goalkeeper miss the ball there is Murphy at the back stick to tap home.
61’ –CASPARIJ GOES CLOSE: Murphy sends a floated cross into the back post for defender Casparij who directs her header just wide.
66’ –GOAL! MANCHESTER CITY 2 (CASPARIJ) ST POLTEN 0: The provider is again Fujino drawing in two defenders out wide and then sending in a lovely ball across the face of goal. This time it is Casparij who is running in at the back post to score.
Key stats
- Manchester City had 74% possession of the ball, resulting in 14 attempts on goal and four on target.
- City completed 770 out of their 846 attempted passes. This was compared to 154 completed passes by St Polten.
