The winger was on target in the first half against the Blades, while also providing three assists in a dominant display at the Academy Stadium.
While her importance to the team this season transcends her scoring record, Kelly’s first goal of the season was just rewards for another influential display out wide.
And the boss was delighted for City’s number nine, describing her gradual adaptation to the new-found spotlight she has acquired since scoring the winning goal for England in last summer’s European Championship final.
“We saw the real best of Chloe today,” Taylor declared after our Sheffield United triumph.
“We have to remember she was out for a long period of time. She experienced an unbelievable high in the summer where things probably changed for her a lot off the pitch.
“We need to understand that and support her with that. It’s a big responsibility for her and she’s still trying to get back her rhythm.
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“She was amazing in her first season and to be out for that long is really difficult, but today I thought she was excellent.
“She was a real threat and looked like she really enjoyed herself which is the main thing.
“What you learn about Chloe today is that first goal we score, when she’s through on goal I’m thinking she’ll shoot. To create that for Bunny when you haven’t scored yet this season shows everything about her as a player and a person.
“She did it again in the second half and got her goal as well so it was a really positive day for her.”
Gareth Taylor’s side have now scored 13 goals in our past two matches, with a 6-0 victory over Bristol City sealing passage to the Continental Cup semi-finals earlier this week.
And the boss has expressed his personal pride in the squad effort needed to juggle the demanding fixture schedule while also performing to our best level.
He was also pleased by the manner in which his players approached both matches and offered respect to our opponents.
Taylor said: “I was really pleased with both performances. That’s the key, sometimes you’re not rewarded with the goals you score today or on Wednesday, but we were today.
“I think that’s really good for the players to see that. Across the two games pretty much all the players have been used.
“You saw Lauren and Hayley start on Wednesday and then Chloe and Julie today and I think it’s been really good and positive and we need to use those performances again.
“People might say it was against a potential lower opposition in terms of league but I think those games today and on Wednesday, when you play those teams it can be really messy and you can be your own worst enemy if you think it’s going to be easy.
“Fair play to the players, that was something we spoke on, the respect and doing things professionally.”
