It was a case of so near yet so far for City’s women’s team this season as they finished just two points behind Chelsea at the top of the WSL. The blues had made some decent signings in the form of American duo Rose Lavelle and Sam Mewis and both were inspiration in City’s assault for the title.
But the season didn’t get off to a great start as City lost the Community Shield to Chelsea at Wembley. Lauren Hemp went off injured in the first half and would miss a chunk of the bleus opening games, and Chelsea’s new signing Sam Kerr missed a hatful of chances to open her scoring account.
New signing Chloe Kelly hit the post and Janine Beckie had a goal disallowed in the first half, before Jill Scott was sent of in the 62nd minute for a second bookable offence. Chelsea took full advantage and within four minutes were in front. Millie Bright’s long range effort was too powerful for Ellie Roebuck and the ball flew into the goal.
Chelsea continued to push for a second, with Roebuck keeping them at bay, However she was beaten again in injury time as Erin Cuthbert fired home a loose ball in the box to secure the Community Shield for Chelsea.
Aston Villa 0-2 City
The City girls got their WSL season off to the perfect start as the beat Aston Villa 2-0 at Villa Park. But it will be a day to forget for Villa keeper Sian Rogers
City were almost ahead before a minute was on the clock with Same Mewis heading wide. However Villa’s good fortune wouldn’t hold out as a back pass to the Villa defence was left by the defender, allowing Georgia Stanway to nip in to try and score. Rogers got there first but lost out in a challenge to Stanway and the City star’s only task was to slot the ball into an empty goal.
Rogers was at fault for City’s second goal too. She dithered over a goalkick before eventually playing it to the edge of the area, before receiving a backpass from Marisa Ewers. Again, Stanway was on hand and dispossessed the keeper a second time and the ball ricocheted over the line.
Villa had a goal disallowed but City looked comfortable and were worthy of the three points.
City 0-0 Brighton
Visiting keeper Megan Walsh was in fine form as she denied the blues three points that would ultimately cost the blues the league title.
In an even contest, City should have scored when Ellen White hit a shot wide, Steph Houghton hit the side netting and both Stanway and Kelly had shots off target.
The blues were lucky Roebuck was alert as Maya Le Tissier almost snatched the three points for the visitors, but Roebuck was equal to the shot.
FA Cup – Leicester 1-2 City
In a delayed quarter final from the Covid hit season, City reached the FA Cup semi-final for a sixth successive season by beating Leicester 2-1.
City charged forward at every opportunity and Georgia Stanway hit the woodwork as the blues threatened to overrun the Foxes. City were awarded a penalty in the 36th minute when Stanway was brought down, and Chloe Kelly scored her first goal in a City shirt.
Six minutes later, Stanway scored City’s second as White flicked on for the youngster to clip the ball over the keeper.
Leicester pulled a goal back with 2 minutes remaining through Claire Devlin, but City held on to reach another semi-final.