ARSENAL 0-1 CITY, 2014
The one that started it all…
Reaching the 2014 Continental Cup Final in our debut season in the top flight was a remarkable achievement for Nick Cushing’s side.
Following the relaunch and professionalisation of our Ladies team, City would compete in the FA Women’s Super League for the first time with a team constructed of semi-professional and England international stars.
While our league form proved mixed, City enjoyed better fortunes in the League Cup, winning all bar one of our five group games to finish top.
That feat set up a semi-final clash with the much-fancied Chelsea but – playing at Hyde’s Ewan Fields – City produced a stoic performance to edge past the London outfit with a Toni Duggan strike, booking our place in the Final to face Arsenal: the most successful women’s side in the country.
It was no secret that City headed into the encounter at Adams Park as underdogs, with the Gunners clinching all four previous editions of the tournament.
Cushing’s side held firm though to thwart the North London outfit and bagged the crucial goal with 17 minutes of normal time remaining, as Izzy Christiansen rose to head home Krystle Johnston’s cross and clinch City’s first piece of major silverware against all odds.
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CITY 2-0 CHELSEA, 2016
Our first title triumph...
Having clinched a crucial 1-0 triumph at Arsenal, City welcomed reigning Champions Chelsea to the Academy Stadium in the knowledge a win or draw would clinch our very first WSL title.
The Londoners had pipped Cushing’s side to the crown by just two points the previous year, while City had denied Emma Hayes’ side league glory on the final day in 2014!
With plenty at stake and a firm rivalry emerging, a record crowd turned out to cheer the home side on, on a day in which City were simply a class above their counterparts.
Jill Scott opened the scoring in the first half with a deflected header from Duggan’s corner, and the provider turned goalscorer in the second half, as Duggan despatched a penalty after Lucy Bronze was hacked down by Gilly Flaherty.
The spot-kick marked Duggan’s ninth goal in nine games against Hayes’ side but more importantly, secured the three points needed to lift the WSL trophy for the first time.
A 1-1 draw against Birmingham the following week would complete an unbeaten league campaign to cap a superb season in which City also lifted the Conti Cup for the second time with a 1-0 extra-time victory over the Solihull side.
City 4-1 Birmingham, 2017
A maiden FA Cup triumph...
A stunning 4-1 win over Birmingham at Wembley in May 2017 earned City our first success in England’s most prestigious cup competition, adding a new trophy to the collection.
Witnessed by a record crowd at Wembley, a sensational first-half performance saw Cushing’s side storm into a 3-0 half-time lead, thanks to goals from Lucy Bronze, Izzy Christiansen and Carli Lloyd.
In what was a first ever Wembley appearance for many of the Finalists, Megan Campbell in particular savoured a day to remember, crafting two inventive assists in the opening 32 minutes.
City were simply a class above their counterparts, producing a display which is still regarded to this day as our all-time best team performance.
Jill Scott completed the scoring with ten minutes remaining to cap another memorable day in sky blue for our all-conquering side.
City 3-0 West Ham, 2019
Young hearts run free...
City stepped out at the national stadium for the second time, seeking to secure a second piece of silverware of the 2018/19 season following our Continental Cup triumph earlier in the campaign.
Having completed the league double over the Hammers, the 2017 winners arrived at Wembley as strong favourites.
However, the Londoners proved stubborn opponents – especially in what was a tough opening half – and we were made to work before Keira Walsh struck on 52 minutes to break the deadlock.
Buoyed by the breakthrough in front of another incredible crowd of almost 44,000, City stepped up the ante.
We secured our second FA Cup triumph in three years with a ruthless second half showing, with Georgia Stanway and teenager Lauren Hemp both on target in the final 10 minutes to seal the deal.
CITY 1-0 UNITED, 2019
A milestone moment for the women’s game…
The opening day of the season always sparks much hope and optimism for the season ahead, and the maiden fixture of the 2019/20 campaign bore extra excitement and anticipation: the first professional women’s Manchester Derby.
Following United’s title-winning promotion from the Championship, the pair met for the very first time in WSL history and fittingly to match interest and meet demand, the clash was hosted at the Etihad Stadium – home of the Premier League Champions.
A league record crowd of 31,000 witnessed the two sides lock horns in a thoroughly entertaining affair. The Reds shaded the first 45 but found Ellie Roebuck in top form to preserve our clean sheet, and the home side rallied in the second period and opening the scoring with an absolute thunderbolt from Caroline Weir.
The Scotland international collected a loose ball 25 yards out before unleashing a rocket into the top corner to send the City fans into raptures and claim the bragging rights – and crucial three points – in the first Derby duel.
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CITY 10-0 IPSWICH TOWN, 2020
A perfect ten…
The FA Cup quarter-final draw proved kind to City, pitching the holders against the lowest-ranked side left in the competition: Ipswich Town.
The Tractor Girls – of the FA Women’s Premier League South East Division One – had enjoyed a remarkable journey to reach the last eight stage, emerging victorious in six rounds, defeating Royston Town, rivals Norwich City, AFC Basildon, Chichester City, Portsmouth and Huddersfield.
Backed by an impressive away following of 400 fans, Ipswich knew the odds were stacked against them and produced a spirited display against a ruthless City side, who bagged ten goals for the second time in the Club’s history, after the men’s side had achieved the feat in 1987.
On that day at Maine Road, there were three hat-tricks scored and history repeated itself, as Pauline Bremer, Georgia Stanway and Jess Park all netted trebles – with Laura Coombs also on the scoresheet – to register a highest-scoring win for our women’s side in professional competition.
Everton 1-3 City (AET), 2020
Extra-time drama...
The opening day of November 2020 will live long in the memory, as City retained the Women’s FA Cup with our third Wembley triumph in the competition in four years - and Taylor’s first trophy success.
The holders defended the trophy with a 3-1 victory over Everton at Wembley in the 50th edition of the tournament, as substitutes Georgia Stanway and Janine Beckie struck in extra-time to snatch the win.
The holders produced a spirited display to edge the Toffees in a tense encounter, after the two sides had played out an enthralling 1-1 draw in normal time with Valérie Gauvin cancelling out Sam Mewis‘ opener.
Having lifted the trophy in May 2019, City had held the honour for a total of 547 days heading into this clash and triumphant in the first of two FA Cup tournaments this season, ensured our name will remain on the prestigious silverware until at least May…
