Manchester Metropolis have taken a “huge step” within the Girls’s Tremendous League title race, says supervisor Gareth Taylor.
They’re attempting to win a primary league title in eight years, with Chelsea scooping up 4 successive crowns beneath supervisor Emma Hayes.
“I am actually happy, pleased with the gamers,” mentioned Taylor.
“It is a huge step for us. We’ve eight video games to go, we’re excited concerning the problem and it is a huge step, however that is all it’s. It is three factors and we transfer on to the following.”
It was Taylor’s first win at Kingsmeadow, a spot which he admitted had “annoyed” him. And it got here off the again of an ever-improving defensive file as Metropolis choose up a primary victory right here since 2016.
“We’re actually decided this season,” he added. “Previously, our performances have been fairly good in sure video games that we have misplaced or drawn however we have been a bit delicate in these moments defensively. Now, there is a new-found dedication within the staff.
“We’ve not hidden our ambitions about what we wish to do. We go into each competitors to win it. What Chelsea constructed here’s what we’re attempting to realize nevertheless it’s actually troublesome.”
‘Mentality shift’ pushing Metropolis in title race
Taylor was stuffed with reward as soon as once more for 19-year-old goalkeeper Khiara Keating, who backed up final week’s sturdy efficiency towards Arsenal with a number of essential interventions.
Keating has performed her function in Metropolis’s defensive file, with this their third successive clear sheet within the WSL, whereas they’ve conceded simply eight targets in 14 league video games.
That might show to be a vital issue of their title problem with the WSL’s high scorer Khadija Shaw – who slotted within the winner – guaranteeing targets on the different finish.
Former Manchester Metropolis striker Ellen White advised BBC Two there was “a mentality shift” on the membership this season.
“They really feel assured and consider they will come to Kingsmeadow and beat Chelsea,” added White.
“I mentioned I needed to see extra from them within the second half however what we noticed was extra of was recreation administration.”
Metropolis defender Alex Greenwood advised BBC Sport earlier than Friday’s victory that “not sufficient folks had been speaking about” her facet within the title race however they’ve perception they will go all the best way.
“I feel we have all the time had what it takes,” Greenwood mentioned after the win.
“For us, it is about staying humble. We do what we do, and we keep centered. We should always get pleasure from this, then we go once more.”
Chelsea defeat ‘not the tip of the world’
Chelsea boss Emma Hayes refused to be too downbeat after a uncommon defeat for her facet.
“We have dropped factors at residence,” she mentioned. “It is not the tip of the world however we’ve to regroup with eight video games left after the worldwide break.
“You do lose soccer matches. We do not lose many, so sure in fact it is disappointing, however you’ll be able to’t win each recreation.”
Her facet stay high on targets scored and though she was “disillusioned” by their response to conceding what she described as a “poor purpose”, there may be clearly no panic from Hayes in the case of the title race.
She says she has not taken any discover of the league desk and hopes the return of injured duo Millie Vivid and Catarina Macario will enhance their run-in.
“It all the time has been [close]. I do not take note of [the table],” added Hayes.
“I simply deal with the efficiency. I simply know we have dropped three factors and a chance at this time.
“I do not suppose there’s ever a straightforward defeat, let me be clear, however everyone knows it is a recreation of tight margins. We began the sport very well, then we conceded a poor purpose. I assumed that affected us a little bit bit in the best way we handed the ball.
“The disappointing factor from us was our closing third play. I’ve by no means identified these video games to have so much in them. The error falls in our manner and so they capitalised on that and defended properly.”
Chelsea captain Erin Cuthbert misplaced possession to present Metropolis the chance to attain the winner and accepted “it’s my mistake”.
“I’ll personal that and know that after I come again off the worldwide break, I might be raring to go,” added the Scotland worldwide.
“If there may be one factor I’ll do is mud myself down and we might be prepared.”