City see off the Seagulls on Roord’s return

The Jamaican opened her WSL account for 2024/25 with a close-range finish to break the deadlock on the stroke of half-time.

It would prove to be the only goal of the game in a match where Gareth Taylor’s side were made to work for the three points against a well-organised opponent.

Further cause for celebration would follow late on as Jill Roord made her long-awaited return to action after an anterior cruciate ligament rupture.

What happened

With two wins and one draw in all competitions, City had enjoyed a strong start to the season but Brighton, with a new manager and exciting summer recruits, weren’t there to simply make up the numbers.

And in the early exchanges neither side was able to gain a real foothold on a chilly Joie Stadium afternoon despite there being plenty of attractive, free-flowing football on show.

The first real chance fell to the hosts, with Shaw firing just over the bar after a well-worked move with the typically energetic Lauren Hemp.

Vivianne Miedema was the next to go close, stinging the palms of Sophie Baggaley from distance, but the visitors continued to hold firm as the game ticked over the 30-minute mark.

Brighton had earned a 1-0 win in this fixture last season and continued to frustrate Gareth Taylor’s side with a well-organised and tenacious press.

City were even thankful to Laia Aleixandri for some last-ditch defending to block a dangerous effort from our former midfielder Vicky Losada.

Chances at both ends followed as half-time approached with Jess Park sending an effort just over the bar and Fran Kirby forcing a smart save from Ayaka Yamashita at the other end.

But there was still time for one last sight of goal before the break which Shaw gobbled up in typically clinical fashion.

The Jamaican met an excellent left-wing ball in behind from Kerstin Casparij in her stride and confidently slotted home into the far corner with one of the final acts of the half.

It was the lift-off that City needed, with Hemp firing wide soon after the restart before Shaw failed to make a clean contact on an Aoba Fujino cutback just after the hour.

Brighton continued to defend resolutely, but the hosts were beginning to turn the screw.

Substitute Mary Fowler spurned a decent chance to double the advantage with ten to play when she blazed a left-footed effort over, but the City fans were on their feet soon after as Roord was introduced from the bench.

It was the Dutch international’s first appearance since January, and she was primed to pounce on the rebound when Park’s effort on the counter-attack was saved by Baggaley, but Brighton’s defence recovered just in time.

The Seagulls’ stopper was called into action again soon after, palming a vicious Hemp effort into the air before claiming the ball on the second attempt.

It would prove to be one of the final acts of an intriguing encounter. While City weren’t able to add to the scoreline, Taylor’s side got the job done against a side who will cause plenty of problems for our title rivals in 2024/25.

Player of the Match: Ayaka Yamashita

Celebrating her 29th birthday, the goalkeeper put in a typically assured display at the Joie Stadium.

She showed incredible composure with the ball at her feet, sparking several City attacks and relieving any pressure that was thrown our way by an impressive Brighton side.

Yama also stepped up when it mattered, making an excellent save with her feet to deny Fran Kirby late in the first half when the England international had been sent through on goal.

How we lined up

Ayaka Yamashita started between the sticks, shielded by a back four of Naomi Layzell, Laia Aleixandri, Alex Greenwood and Kerstin Casparij.

Yui Hasegawa started at the base of the midfield three, with Jess Park and Vivianne Miedema given licence to get forward.

At the sharp end, Aoba Fujino and Lauren Hemp started on the flanks with Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw at centre-forward.

City XI: Yamashita, Layzell, Aleixandri, Greenwood (C), Casparij, Hasegawa, Park, Miedema, Fujino, Hemp, Shaw (Fowler 77’).

Subs: Keating, Coombs, Kelly, Kennedy, Blindkilde Brown, Thomas, Murphy.

Brighton XI: Baggaley, Thorisdottir, Pattinson (Symonds 70’), Bergsvand, Losada, Bremer (Agyemang 57’), Seike (Haley 57’), Kirby, Carabali, Olislagers (McLauchlan 90’), Vilamala (Parris 57’).

Subs: Auee, Poulter, Loeck.

What it means

City currently sit fifth in the WSL after two matches, level on points with Arsenal and Tottenham and two behind league leaders Chelsea and Manchester United.

We remain unbeaten in the league, with three goals scored and two conceded.

Up next

After a busy period of four games in 11 days, City now have a week to prepare for West Ham’s visit to the Joie Stadium in the Barclays Women’s Super League.

Kick-off is set for 13:00 (UK) on Sunday 6 October, with the match available to watch live on CITY+. For more details on how to watch and subscribe, click here.

Three days later and City’s UEFA Champions League group stage campaign gets under way with the visit of the holders FC Barcelona.