With Ayaka Yamashita having picked up an injury that ruled her out of selection, Keating was restored to the City line-up for what was her first start since our league clash with Arsenal in early February.
Though an injury time header from Erin Cuthbert saw Chelsea snatch a 2-1 win to take all three points, Keating produced a quite superb individual display.
The 20-year-old served up a series of outstanding individual second half saves to remind everyone watching - both at the Etihad and at home on TV - of her quality and potential.
And reflecting on what was a frustrating loss, interim boss Cushing was quick to praise Keating’s all-round performance.
“It was a really good performance from our keeper today,” Cushing said.
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“Whenever you play Chelsea, your keeper has to have a good game and the central defenders have to have a good game and we did that today but were just put under too much pressure
“For us we need people to be ready. You can see now with the injuries we are getting, with form dipping and fatigue and the games coming thick and fast you need to show you ready to take the shirt and Khiara showed today she is more than good enough to be number one for this team.”
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