Seventeen-year-old Keating made her first team debut as a late replacement for Karima Taieb and kept a clean sheet as City cruised to a 5-0 victory, with player of the match Park laying on three assists on an evening Taylor’s side hit top form.
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The City boss was pleased to reward Keating with her senior bow and felt she handled the occasion well and he was equally delighted with Park’s exploits on the right wing as the youngster continued her progress with another fine performance.
“It was a nice game for Khiara,” Taylor said at his post-match press conference.
“She wasn’t under too much pressure but she will have been feeling nervous beforehand. Sometimes when you get an opportunity like that it is probably better coming late rather than knowing a few days before.
“I had a quick chat with her beforehand because I could see there were a few nerves and said she has earned the right to be there.
“It is fantastic when you see a young player get an opportunity and it really helps when you have experienced players in front of you like Steph, Alex [Greenwood], Georgia Stanway and Lucy [Bronze].
“I told the players to look after her tonight and they did.
“Jess Park was great. She was a real threat. She maintained possession really well in the first half and made good opportunities and crosses.
“In the second half, the level dropped a bit and that is what we talk about. We just want to push as much as we can to maintain those levels and really push on to go to that next level.”
Watch the manager’s post-match press conference in full in the video above.
CITY V ARSENAL
Tickets for City’s first home game of 2022 - a crunch FA WSL clash against Arsenal - are now on sale.
Don’t miss your chance to cheer on Gareth Taylor‘s side on Sunday 23 January. Kick-off 18:45 at the Academy Stadium.
