GARETH TAYLOR praised Manchester City’s grit as they battled to a 2-1 win after being caught cold by Göteborg.
But the City boss reckons his side – who had 18 shots on target – could have had a bigger lead ahead of their second leg clash with the Swedish champs.
Georgia Stanway equalised for Manchester City against Göteborg on her 130th appearance for the club
Taylor said: “We’re not going to dress it up. We should have had an improved result than what we finished with.
“But after the kind of start that we had, I thought the girls showed really good resilience, we controlled the game and gave them limited opportunities.
“But potentially we should have been going back with a bigger cushion,
“And that is what we said to the girls afterwards.
“We told them don’t underestimate this opposition especially on their own pitch as they are very dangerous.”
Göteborg had been off for a month coming in this game, with their season ending in November.
But any expectations of the hosts being rusty were blown away in the second minute with skipper Vilde Boe Risa latching on to a rebound to give them an early lead.
Manchester City go into their second leg with Göteborg with an away goal advantageCredit: Rex Features
However, City, who appeared stunned in the opening ten minutes, took control midway through the first half.
And the visitors grabbed a deserved a 39th-minute equaliser with Georgia Stanway rifling in her 50th goal in a City vest, much to her boss’s delight.
Taylor said: “The girls rib Georgia a bit for the amount of shots she has and her return.
“It was a great goal and a great finish. We’ve really challenged her.
“That’s what we were looking for tonight, that kind of finish. Her energy was good.”
The second period began in the same vein as much of the first with Stanway, Chloe Kelly and Janine Beckie causing problems down the flanks.
And Taylor’s side got the lead and win they deserved with Sam Mewis heading in her third goal of the season on her Champion’s League debut.
USA star Sam Mewis netted her first Champions League goal on her tournament debutCredit: PA:Press Association
Arsenal are up next for Taylor’s side ahead of their tantalising second leg clash with the Swedish title-holders.
Sam Mewis said: “Göteborg are a great team, but we know we could have put more goals away.
“We want to take care of business and go through to the next round.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
