The Blues have sealed their place in the Continental Tyres Cup final after a close-fought 1-0 win over Chelsea.
January signing Nadia Nadim scored her second City goal in her second appearance to secure City’s spot in the final.
What happened
Within the opening 10 minutes of that match it was clear that the semi-final would be a tough test for both sides.
It looked as though Chelsea had taken the lead 17 minutes into the game when Fran Kirby worked her way around ‘keeper Karen Bardsley and positioned herself in front of an open goal. However, Izzy Christiansen appeared from no-where to expertly clear the ball off the line to keep a clean sheet at the Kingsmeadow.
Just one minute later and City made their mark. Jill Scott’s cross entered the box and as Nikita Parris couldn’t quite make it, perfectly positioned Nadia Nadim fired straight down the middle to make it two goals in two games for the January recruit.
Parris was close to making it 2-0 on the half hour mark with her curled shot but her effort skimmed wide on the nearside post.
In the second-half City were incredibly dominant and enjoyed most of the possession.
It looked as though City might double the lead in the 50th minute as Scott’s cleanly delivered back-heel pass was collected by Parris – who sashayed around the Chelsea defence and fired her shot just over Hedvig Lindahl’s crossbar.
Bardsley was called to action just after the hour when Hannah Blundell stormed towards our ‘keeper and struck a bullet-like effort at the goal, but the England goalkeeper was there to block the ball with just one hand. If you blinked you would’ve missed it – it was that quick.
Nick Cushing’s side fought up until final whistle, with Bardsley and captain Houghton pairing up to clear a very close chance from the home side.
How they lined up
Karen Bardsley returned from injury to take her place in goal, with Demi Stokes, Jen Beattie, skipper Houghton and birthday girl Abbie McManus.
In midfield, Izzy Christiansen teamed up with Scott and Kiera Walsh while Parris and Claire Emslie flanked Nadim up front.
What it means
City’s victory over Chelsea means that Nick Cushing’s side have secured a spot in the Continental Tyre Cup final against Arsenal.
Up next
City next face Sunderland in the Women’s Super League away on Saturday 27 January, kick-off at 6pm (GMT).
