2020
A fitting farewell for Nick Cushing in his final match in charge of Manchester City saw us remain top of the Women’s Super League with a hard-fought 2-1 win over fellow title rivals Arsenal at the Academy Stadium.
Pauline Bremer tapped home the opener on the stroke of half-time before Lauren Hemp’s inch-perfect header from Keira Walsh’s cross doubled the lead before the 50-minute mark.
But the Gunners, who would have replaced us as WSL leaders with a win of their own, responded inside ten minutes through Danielle van de Donk.
Arsenal continued to press for an equaliser, but City weathered the storm to give Cushing the send off he deserved after an incredible six years at the helm, ahead of his move to become assistant coach at New York City FC.
2016
Sergio Aguero’s 16th minute finish on this day five years ago saw Manchester City edge out Sunderland at the Stadium of Light and move within three points of league leaders Leicester.
The Argentine reacted quickest to a deflected cross and poked home with the outside of his foot to seal the victory, which was preserved in the dying moments by a last ditch clearance from Nicolas Otamendi on the line.
The win extended our unbeaten run in the league to seven matches, and came just 24 hours after it was announced that a certain Pep Guardiola would take charge of the club from the end of June.
City boss Manuel Pellegrini and his team, ever the professionals, did not let that news distract them as they dug in deep to pick up maximum points in the North East.
2019
Manchester City Women would go on to lift the FA Cup in May 2019, but their journey in the competition that season began with a comprehensive Fourth Round win at home to Watford.
The chances were flowing from the off, but the pressure finally told just after the hour mark when substitute Nikita Parris latched onto Pauline Bremer’s flick-on, evaded the attentions of her marker and coolly slotted home.
And the forward was on the scoresheet once again just seven minutes later, turning on a sixpence and firing a low drive back across the Watford ‘keeper and into the bottom corner.
The scoring was then completed by Bremer, who grabbed her first City goal since her return from a lengthy absence through injury.
An impressive and dominant display on this day back in 2019, where Nick Cushing’s side made sure they were not stung by the Hornets!
And one final notable event on this day sees Jill Scott celebrate her 34th birthday.
The midfielder, who is currently on loan at Everton, joined from the Merseyside club back in November 2013 and has been a key cog in the City machine ever since, making more than 170 appearances in all competitions to date.
Everyone here at Manchester City would like to wish Jill a very happy birthday!
