The defender has been in outstanding form and helped City keep a clean sheet in last Sunday’s crucial 2-0 victory over title rivals Chelsea.
And the City boss says Houghton’s leadership is also a big influence on and off the pitch as our WSL title challenge faces another big test with Sunday’s trip to Arsenal.
WATCH: Gareth Taylor press conference | Arsenal (A) | WSL
“Steph was pretty immense last week and she’s performed really well in this period for us and I think she’s playing some of her best football that we’ve seen,” Taylor said.
“That comes from bringing all of the things she does really well and being aware of other bits in terms of our build-up play and how we defend.
“Her leadership qualities are huge. We have lost some experienced players but we still have some very good experience in the team with the likes of Steph, Demi [Stokes], Alex [Greenwood] and Laura Coombs.
“Those guys are really important and they help the team a lot and none more so than Steph.”
Victory over Chelsea meant that City joined Manchester United at the top of the WSL on 38 points with Chelsea a point behind and Arsenal a further three points back, although the two London clubs have games in hand.
With so little between the four teams and so much to play for, including the title, automatic Champions League places and the possibility of missing out on Europe all together.
City face Arsenal on Sunday at Meadow Park at 12:30 (UK) and we also have a Manchester Derby scheduled for the penultimate game of the season.
“If you look at the games in hand that Chelsea and Arsenal have, then it pretty much puts everyone there or thereabouts,” Taylor added.
“It makes for an exciting competition this season for sure, probably one that we haven’t seen previously going into the final half dozen games of a league where four teams can potentially go and win it and three teams obviously looking to make Champions League qualification, so it’s highly exciting.
“It shows us that levels have improved and I think the fact these four teams play each other quite a bit in thosee last six games, it’s got all the ingredients for a really exciting finish.”
