The Japanese international started at the base of the midfield and completed the scoring late on from distance.
It was a strike which her tireless performance deserved, with the 25-year-old a central figure in our first Barclays Women’s Super League win of the season.
And Taylor believes the display was a precursor to what Hasegawa has to offer her new club on a regular basis.
“It’s very rare your holding midfielder is expected to [score], but it was a great debut from [Yui],” the boss reflected after our victory against the Foxes.
“She really grew into the game and showed her class. The goal is an added bonus.
“She has the ability to play in all the positions we have in midfield, she’s creative and good technically and can score goals.
“We lost Keira [Walsh] which was a blow but we have some options, Laura can perform there, Filippa [as well].
“But it’s a position for Yui that she brings fluidity to the play, moves around in position and allowed Esme to come join her.
“You can see she’s a top player, someone I’ve always admired, and I think she’ll do really well at this football club.”
While Hasegawa finished off the scoring at the Academy Stadium, it was Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw whose first half strike set the tone for a convincing display.
The Jamaican headed home Lauren Hemp’s inch-perfect cross to open the scoring and completed her brace when she pounced on a loose ball after Alex Greenwood had seen a penalty saved.
Having grabbed 19 goals in her first campaign at City, the forward’s current tally for 2022/23 stands at an impressive five strikes in as many matches.
With Ellen White retiring in the summer, Taylor believes Shaw has taken on the responsibility of being our main option up front in her stride.
Asked for his reaction to the Jamaican’s performance, the boss said: “[I was] really happy. Bunny is showing what she’s capable of week in, week out.
“She had a good season last year with good competition with Ellen [White] which gave us different options.
“At the minute, she’s the one real standout option. we have others who could play there, Deyna Castellanos, Mary Fowler, but it’s a good start and challenge for her and one she’s enjoying.”
