In what was our first league match at the Joie Stadium in 2023/24, Gareth Taylor‘s side opened the scoring through Chloe Kelly’s thunderous strike from the edge of the area after seven minutes.
We were well worth our lead against the current champions, but our momentum was cut short before the interval when Alex Greenwood received her second yellow card of the afternoon for apparent time wasting.
City held our slender advantage until the break, but our task was made harder when Lauren Hemp was dismissed for two cautions after the interval.
Despite playing with nine, the hosts produced a dogged display before the Londoners equalised deep into stoppage time.
Regardless of the disappointment at the time, Taylor’s team are currently at the league’s summit.
And, speaking on the latest episode of the Man City Podcast, Roord said the character on show in the draw with Emma Hayes’ team will help City navigate the WSL’s rigours this term.
“I actually think that game will and can help us a lot. It brought us more together as well,” the Netherlands international explained.
“It was [a] crazy [game], actually. It’s the weirdest game I’ve ever played with all the decisions. I think we started amazing [going] one-nil up.
“We then got a red card. Obviously that early against Chelsea with 10 is very difficult. I was just thinking ‘we need to get to half-time’ at least with this score.
“In the meantime many players got yellows for talking, but I never had the feeling that they got dangerous as the second half continued.
“The longer it stayed 1-0 for us, the more belief you have. Obviously Hempo got a red card as well and 11 versus nine was a little too much.
“1-1 in the end is a very good result when you see how the game went.”
A 2023 summer signing from Wolfsburg, Roord has settled into life quickly at City.
Across her first five appearances in all competitions, she has scored three goals and registered an assist as Gareth Taylor’s side remain unbeaten in 2023/24.
But the Netherlands international admitted she’s been taken aback by the quality within our ranks.
On the Man City Podcast she added: “There are a few people [who have surprised me].
“I’ve played a lot with Hempo on the left side. Obviously I know she’s an amazing player, but I think in training you can really see how good she is and in games playing with her.
“[It’s] the same for Bunny. I didn’t really know Bunny [apart from] the name and her statistics, but I’d never seen her play that much.
“She’s a very special player.”
