Manchester City have a point to prove this season, having narrowly missed out on European Football last term due to their inferior goal difference. Their first task of the 2023/24 season would be a trip to West Ham, with the Hammers billed by some to be potential relegation candidates.
WHU: Arnold; Smith, Cooke, Cissoko, Shimizu, Evans; Hayashi, Filis, Stringer; Asseyi, Ueki
MCI: Keating; Ouahabi, Greenwood, Kennedy, Aleixandri; Roord, Hasegawa, Castellanos; Fowler, Hemp, Kelly
A lacklustre first half on the road for Manchester City saw Gareth Taylor’s side head into the interval with nothing to separate them from their Essex-based opposition.
But when Lauren Hemp found the back of the net with a fantastic curling effort just three minutes into the second period, it was the Citizens that looked to be cruising to three points.
That was affirmed further when Jill Roord scored less than ten minutes later, with the Dutch international netting on her Manchester City debut after completing a big-money move from VfL Wolfsburg in the summer.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the visitors, as Leila Ouahabi was shown a straight red card in the 71st minute for lashing out against Emma Harries – who had been introduced just ten minutes prior as Riko Ueki’s replacement.
Nonetheless, Manchester City claimed three points away from home and they’ll look to bolster their points tally further next Sunday, when they host Chelsea. West Ham will travel to Brighton on the same day.
