Manchester City have taken a “huge step” in the Women's Super League title race, manager Gareth Taylor has said.
Chelsea are aiming to win their first league title in eight years after winning their fourth straight title under manager Emma Hayes.
“I'm really happy and proud of the players,” Taylor said.
“This is a big step for us. We have eight games left and we're excited about the challenge and it's a big step, but that's it. Three points and we move on.”
This was Taylor's first win at Kingsmeadow, although he admitted he was “frustrated” at the venue. And it came on the back of City's first win here since 2016 and an ever-improving defensive record.
“We are really determined this season,” he added. “In the past, in certain games where we lost or drew, we performed very well, but in those moments we were a little lax defensively. There is now a new determination in the team.”
“We make no secret of our ambitions about what we want to do. We go into every competition to win. What Chelsea have built here is what we are trying to achieve, but it is really difficult.” .
'Change in mentality' pushes City into title contention
Taylor once again praised 19-year-old goalkeeper Chiara Keating for her support last week. Good performance against Arsenal It involves some important interventions.
Keating has been instrumental in City's defensive record, as they have kept three consecutive clean sheets in the WSL, while conceding just eight goals in 14 league games.
This could be a key factor in the title challenge as WSL's top scorer Khadijah Shaw has been named the winner and is guaranteed a goal for the opposition.
Former Manchester City striker Ellen White told BBC Two there had been a “change of mentality” at the club this season.
White added: “They are confident and believe they can come to Kingsmeadow and beat Chelsea.”
“We said we wanted to see them play more in the second half, but what we saw was game management.”
City defender Alex Greenwood told BBC Sport before Friday's win that “not a lot of people are talking about” her team in the title race but believes they can go all the way. He said he was there.
“I think we always had what it took,” Greenwood said after the win.
“For us, it's about staying humble. We do what we have to do and stay focused. We should enjoy this and we'll go again.”
Chelsea defeat: 'It's not the end of the world'
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes refused to get too down after the team's rare defeat.
“We dropped a point at home,” she said. “It’s not the end of the world, but we have eight games left after the international break and we have to rebuild the team.
“Sometimes we lose in soccer games. Of course it's disappointing because we don't lose often, but we can't win every game.”
Her side remain top of the league in goals scored and although she was “disappointed” by her team's reaction to the conceded goal, which she described as a “poor goal”, Hayes is clearly not panicking when it comes to the title race. .
She said she was not concerned about the league position and was hopeful that the team would improve with the return of injured duo Millie Bright and Catalina Macario.
“That's always been the case [close].Do not worry [the table]” Hayes added.
“I'm just focused on my performance. I just know that today we lost three points and a chance.”
“I don't think we'll lose easily. Let's be clear, we all know it was a close game. We started the game very well, but then we conceded a poor goal. I thought that might have had a little bit of an effect on the way he passed the ball.
“Unfortunate for us was the final third play. I didn't know there were so many elements to this game before. Mistakes got in our way and they took advantage and defended well. .”
Chelsea captain Erin Cuthbert conceded the ball to give City a chance for the winning goal and admitted: “That was my mistake.”
“I’m going to make it my own and when I get back from international break I’m itching to go,” added the Scotland international.
“All I have to do is dust myself off and I’ll be ready.”
