City returned to winning ways in the FA Women’s Super League, thanks to a Chloe Kelly brace, plus goals from Sam Mewis and Ellen White, at the Academy Stadium.
Doubling the advantage five minutes after the break, City sparked into life to sink Spurs and storm to a crucial three points, producing a performance Taylor felt epitomised the Club’s philosophy and values of beautiful, clinical, attacking football.
“I think that is pretty evident,” he replied, asked whether the display resembled a ‘City performance.’
“The football we played against Arsenal was very good but today, in the second half, some of the play was exceptional.
“It was important to maintain what we did in the FA Cup. We played some good stuff.
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“It took time to find our rhythm and I was disappointed it took us a brilliant goal from Chloe to open the scoring because we could have scored an easier goal!
“We made the point at half-time that we needed to make it easier for ourselves, making better decisions in the final third.
“1-0 is a difficult scoreline and we didn’t want to underestimate Spurs. I thought 4-0 flattered Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final they played (the previous weekend) and they carried on pressing the whole game, making it difficult for us to find spaces – but the way we managed that was very good.
“In the second half, we played some exceptional stuff and I was so pleased with the tempo. Even when the substitutions were made, it didn’t deter from the performance and it was really pleasing to see everyone do their bit.”
Taylor reserved further praise for shining summer recruit Kelly, who starred against the North London outfit – breaking the deadlock with a sensational long-range effort before coolly converting from the spot.
“For her to have scored a 20-yarder from the edge of the box into the top corner was great for Chloe – she’s got the ability to do it,” he declared.
“She’s just so difficult to play against. Sometimes, even we don’t know what she’s going to do!
“She’s unpredictable – she can go outside or inside, she can play on both flanks and she could even probably do a job down the middle as a number nine.
“She’s a real attacking threat and the last three performances she’s put in have been great.
“It’s been good to protect her a bit – she takes the hits and defenders can be rough – but she copes, no problem.
“She’s a nice girl but she also has a steely determination to do well.
“People think penalties are easy but they’re not. It shows her confidence to step up and make it happen.
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“It was an important moment to go 2-0 up and it gave us the confidence to go 3-0 and 4-0 up.”
Once again, City have little time to enjoy the victory with another midweek encounter looming: a Continental Cup group stage visit of fellow FA Cup Finalists Everton.
The Toffees have enjoyed a flying start to the season, sitting top of the table, and Taylor says his side must maintain the same level of performance to gain maintain momentum.
“It will be a tough test,” he admitted. “Everton have had a decent start to the season.
“It’s a different competition with the Conti Cup but we’re looking forward to it, and then we’re back to the WSL at the weekend with a big game against Chelsea.”
