Yahoo Sports UWCL: Fearless Manchester City stun Barcelona with goals from Layzell and Shaw
A dominant performance against Barcelona handed Manchester City a huge three points from their opening Champions League group stage game.
Goals from Naomi Layzell and Bunny Shaw got the Sky Blues off to a dream start at the Joie Stadium against the reigning champions.
Starting XIs
Manchester City
Yamashita; Layzell, Aleixandri, Greenwood, Miedema, Fowler, Hemp, Park, Casparij, Shaw, Hasegawa
Barcelona
Coll; Mapi Leon, Graham Hansen, Putellas, Guijarro, Bonmati, Rolfo, Pajor, Walsh, Batlle, Engen
Man City stun Barcelona
Barcelona initially had the better start to the game, rattling the Manchester City post inside five minutes. The following quarter of an hour proved a relatively even affair, with both sides having good chances to open the scoring. A collection of errors for the hosts almost left Ewa Pajor unmarked and through on goal, however Ayaka Yamashita and her defence were eventually able to smother the danger.
It was Man City who opened up the scoring following a mix up in the Barcelona penalty area. Layzell eventually got the final touch to turn the ball home in the 36th minute. The goal marks the defender’s first senior professional goal.
As the first half drew to a close, Manchester City were utterly fearless. Their forward line was a constant thorn in Barcelona’s side, with Lauren Hemp and Yui Hasegawa causing havoc for the Champions League holders’ backline.
The second half brought a slightly more nervy start for City. With Barcelona dominating much of the possession, the Sky Blues were forced to defend for much of the last 45 minutes. However, against the run of play, Bunny Shaw made it two for the hosts to double their advantage and send Barcelona home dejected. Running one-on-one with Cata Coll, the Jamaican striker coolly slotted the ball beyond the Spanish keeper in the 77th minute.
Up next
Manchester City return to Women’s Super League action with an away day to Liverpool. The Sky Blues will take on Matt Beard’s side at Anfield before travelling to face St Polten in the Champions League.
Barcelona will host Espanyol ahead of their next Champions League home tie against Hammarby, who secured their first ever UWCL group stage win over St Pölten.
