Hemp on targets 💬

""There’s still many trophies up for grabs and we’re pushing for all of them. 

"I personally want to contribute to the team as much as possible - scoring goals creating chances.

"It's an exciting year for City and for my country."

Hemp on her new deal 💬

"Yeah I’m just buzzing to be surrounded by so many great people and be at a Club where I love coming in every day and training and working hard. 

"It’s definitely helping me improve as a person and player. 

"It's  great club to be at and I'm surrounded by the best players."

Hemp on returning players 💬

"It’s great to have that confidence boost - seeing Lucy and Steph and the players coming back from injury. T

"They’ve worked hard to get there and are a great asset to the team. It definitely helps us and helped us get the win today. 

"They’re great people off the pitch as well and I’m lucky to be surrounded by amazing people at this Club."

Hemp on confidence 💬

"We wanted to start the new year as we have done, it's a great start. 

"We want to continue this form now throughout the rest of the season, hopefully push for the Champions League spots, pushing Arsenal, Chelsea and United all the way."

Hemp on the half-time teamtalk 💬

"I think the main message was just: "'relax, take your time, we've still got 45 minutes of the game left.' 

"We wanted to be more clinical and create more chances and I think we did that in the second half. 

"I do think we were creating chances in the first half but they weren't going how we wanted to - we were missing the target and things were off so we wanted to make sure that the connection was back for second half.

"I think we showed that and it just shows the quality of the players we’ve got. I think we had five people on the scoresheet. It’s great to have that and players coming on who make the difference."

Lauren Hemp 💬

"It was a great performance. I think in the first half, we wanted to be better. 

"That was the teamtalk at half-time: we needed to be more clinical and create more chances on goal. 

"I think we did that, and started really well in the second half. 

"Once we got the first goal, it gave us the confidence to keep pushing and scoring and we got a great result in end."

Taylor on the clean sheet 💬

"People can look to that and it's definitely been down to the personnel.

"We had to keep changing the back four, as we were missing bodies - Georgia played there a lot; Alex had so many different partners...

"It was nice to keep a clean sheet."

Taylor on targets 💬

"We're targeting the top as always - that's the aim at City.

"We suffered early on - there's no secret there - but we're making steady progress now. 

"It felt a little strange - we'd not played for a month.

"Most coaches will tell you it's about the ability to adapt at the last minute.

"It's pretty manic but you crack on and deal with it.

"The players have been resolute and their attitude: first-class. It's a pleasure to work with them.

"We need to back these performances up. We play in the Conti Cup on Wednesday; then we're back on the road again at Villa. 

"It's one game at a time."

Taylor 💬

"It's been a difficult season not having Lucy until January and Steph being lost early on.

"We've got good options at the moment but the way the world us, it could change in 48 hours. 

"I was speaking to Hope before the game. We both had issues before Christmas - you never know what's around the corner."

Taylor on Hemp 💬

"One of the messages at half-time was get it to Lauren!

"She was really at it today and brings so much energy to the team. She's great and we're glad to have her. 

"It's the same with Ellen who pit in a leaders performance today. She'll be disappointed she didn't score but she had a hand in a lot of goals - one that was a real 'route one!'"

Taylor 💬

"I had to praise the way we played but we were annoyed not to take our chances. 

"We spoke a bit about the back four squeezing up but it was more about the final pass. 

"We had moments in the first half but second we really opened up and the players played with confidence. We started to play our game."

Gareth Taylor 💬

"It was a good performance from us. "There were good parts of our play in the first half - we just needed to take more care but the first good pass in the second half, we score with an own-goal.

"The problem you have with Brighton is that they're so determined - they never give up. 

"You don't have that comfortable afternoon - you have to be resolute but some of our play in the second half was very, very good."

Match report ⬇

Super six 6⃣

Great day all round

Plenty of cause for celebration with the long-awaited returns of Steph Houghton and Lucy Bronze, while Ruby Mace also got some minutes with Gareth Taylor able to take advantage of such a commanding lead and make changes.

FULL-TIME

What a game - and what a win!

A stunning second half sees City bag six(!) in Crawley - with five different scorers, after Victoria William's own-goal had broken the deadlock: Hemp, Stanway, Coombs, Raso and Losada!

Patience was key after a goalless first half but a blitz of four goals in seven minutes put Brighton to the sword, as we stormed to our ruthless best.

What a start to 2022. Start as you mean to go on!

Three more minutes

The board has gone up!

💙

Six goals > sleep

Makes such a difference.

Aaaaaaaand breathe

Another stoppage in play here with an injury to Carter.

(Thankful for the break if I'm honest, phew!)

What a half this has been for City - absolutely ruthless. Brighton just haven't shown up in this second half and we've taken full advantage.

The onslaught continues

Brighton throwing bodies in the way as City continue to pepper the Seagulls' goal with shots.

😅

Brighton change

Kaagman is replaced by Symonds.

😍

Yeah, think I'll take it tbh...

Live footage of me:

Close

Almost an opportunity for White, who hopes to latch onto Le Tissier's loose header but Bowman thrusts out a foot to deny her.

SECOND HALF

We're back under way.

Let's find that opener...

COME ON, CITY!!!

Analysis

So, deadlocked at half-time but there have been plenty of chances for both sides.

City, who started brightly, have probably had the better of the openings but Walsh hasn't had too much to do in the Brighton goal.

The visitors have made good use of the flanks and need to get Hemp and Raso on the ball more - a few stray passes have wasted decent opportunities.

Brighton have looked dangerous on the counter. Tough one to call - if we get one, we could go on to score more but equally, one goal could be enough for either side.

Expect we'll see changes in the second half. Perhaps Steph Houghton will be introduced?

HALF-TIME

The referee brings the half to a close.

It's goalless at the break. A tense but entertaining contest.

Patience

White looks to latch on to a through-ball but it's over-hit and Walsh is out to gather.

She hasn't had a real sight of goal yet, White, but she only needs one chance...

Late pressure

City enjoying a spell of pressure with another series of corners.

Need to start testing Walsh though.

Added time

Six minutes added on for all of the breaks in play!

Stop-start

Couple of recent stoppages in play with Brighton players going down injured - Kaagman the latest, as she has a nosebleed.

Rapid

Hemp with a trademark mazy run goalward, combining with Raso and Stanway, who wins another corner.

The speed and trickery of the 21-year-old is outrageous.

25 gone

It's been a fairly even game so far - City probably shading the chances but Brighton have looked dangerous too.

Need to build a period of pressure - the Seagulls struggled to cope with that early onslaught.

Great work

Incredible pace from Bronze to keep Raso's through-ball alive - the ball looked to have been shepherded out but she sprinted to chase and managed to cut the ball back but no-one else had gambled!

Better

City pressing well, looking to force errors as Brighton attempt to play out from the back.

Stanway sees an opportunity to strike with Walsh off her line from an attempted clearance but it's deflected for a series of corners.

How has that stayed out?!

Raso and Stanway combine down the right - the latter drilling a cross to the back post - but Le Tissier thumps the ball clear. She could have put it into her own net but did well.

Ooh!

Bronze with a wicked delivery to the fat post - it bounces just too high for Hemp to convert!

Already making an impact on her long-awaited return.

Warning

It's Brighton's turn to attack down the right flank - Brazil looking to venture forward but the ball goes out for a goal-kick.

City had an appeal for a penalty turned down just beforehand as White went down but the referee waved it away.

Pressure on

The corner comes to nothing - it's swept away at the near post.

City sporting our navy third kit; Brighton n their traditional blue and white stripes.

Good start

City look to get on the attack nice and early - Hemp gets her first touch of the game and wins a corner...

A reminder of our City starting XI 🗒

Here we go! 🙌

For the first time in 2022, the two teams step out onto the pitch for FA Women's Super League action.

And to a great reception from the crowd.

Taylor on team news 💬

"It's great, especially with Lucy back - it's the first time we've seen her - and Steph on the bench.

"It's good to have better options than we had before Christmas."

(On Lauren Hemp's contract): "It's fantastic.

"We have a real high respect and regard for Lauren - she's a really bright talent and we're delighted to have her with us to continue her journey with us."

Gareth Taylor 💬

"It's great to be back. A couple of games had fallen foul through issues but thankfully, ours goes ahead.

"The season started a long time ago. Now, we're trying to build and gain momentum.

"It's difficult but we had some positive results before the break, although that curtails you when you're in the ascendency.

"it's about starting afresh, giving a decent performance to give us the best chance of winning the game and then moving onto the next one."

Sunshiiiiiiiiine ☀

It's a beautiful day in Crawley - the sun is shining, the atmosphere is building... although it isn't warm!

There's a little more than ten minutes to go to kick-off.

The squads are undergoing final preparations.

Hope Powell in her matchday programme notes 🗒

"I’d like to welcome Gareth Taylor and his Manchester City staff and players. Every game we’ve had against City since coming into the WSL has been tough and this will be no different. 

"They have had their challenges with injuries in the first half of the season but I still expect them to contend for a place at the top end of the table. We will have to be at our best to get the result we want.

"The break came at the right time for us. We had several issues around Covid as well as quite a few injuries, which led to the postponement of the Arsenal game on 19 December. But since then we’ve refreshed, reset and are ready to tackle the second half of the season.

"As a head coach, and with support of my backroom staff, our job is to prepare the players the best we can. It’s then up to them. We did well in the first half of the season and achieved a lot. 

"The challenge is to sustain the improvement we’ve shown this season – and to do even better. It will demand 100% commitment from everyone but I can assure you everyone is united in that cause."

Top performance needed 👊

Though City head into the game with a great record against Brighton, Gareth Taylor's side certainly can't afford to be complacent.

Our start to the 2021/22 campaign has left us chasing the pack and every single point will be crucial, as we look to climb the FA Women's Super League table and force our way into the top three.

There's certainly been an upturn in fortunes in recent matches, and we're slowly welcoming key players back from injury. Our last game showed the fighting spirit this squad has in abundance - a last-gasp 3-2 win at Birmingham in what was a topsy-turvy game. That could prove to be a pivotal moment.

Brighton have suffered a difficult run of form, losing their last four, but started the season well - and Hope Powell is a very experienced coach who will have her side organised and well-drilled.

Some pre-match reading on our midfield maestro, who turned 23 earlier this month 🌟

Our last trip to Brighton proved a memorable one - a 7-1 win on our seven-year anniversary! 🤩

Did you know...? 👀

🔹 City are unbeaten in our five WSL games against Brighton (W4 D1) with an aggregate score of 21-1, having won four of our five league matches, scoring six, three, five and seven in our four wins, and conceding just once in reply. Only against Arsenal (5) have the Seagulls failed to score in more games in the competition.

🔹 Of sides we have faced more than twice in the Women’s Super League, only vs Aston Villa (4.7) do we average more goals per game than against Brighton (4.2 – 21 goals in five encounters). The Seagulls' ratio of conceding against us is higher than against any other opponent in the competition.

🔹 Gareth Taylor's side have averaged 6.5 goals per away game against Brighton in the WSL - our best such ratio in away matches against a specific opponent in the competition.

🔹 City haven’t lost our opening WSL match of a calendar year since 2014 (0-1 v Liverpool), winning four of our last seven such matches (D3).

🔹 None of Brighton’s last 20 WSL matches have ended level, with the Seagulls winning 11 and losing nine of those games. They have however, lost each of their last two top-flight games without scoring, last suffering three consecutive defeats in December 2020. 

Things you love to see 😍

Brighton team 🔵 No place for former City player Lee Geum-min, who is still on international duty.

Team news and tactics 📝

Gareth Taylor makes three changes to the side who snatched a dramatic win over Birmingham last time out.

Ruby Mace, Filippa Angeldahl and Caroline Weir make way for Demi Stokes, Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh, who all make welcome returns - Bronze earning her first minutes of the 2021/22 campaign.

Captain Steph Houghton is also named on the bench - available for the first time since September!

Goalkeeper Karima Taieb is shielded by a backline of Demi Stokes, Alex Greenwood, Alanna Kennedy and Bronze, with Walsh protecting the back four in defensive midfield.

Laura Coombs and Georgia Stanway occupy midfield, flanked by Lauren Hemp and Hayley Raso, with Ellen White leading the line upfront.

Featuring Houghton, Jill Scott, Vicky Losada, Angeldahl and Janine Beckie, there's plenty of quality and experience amongst the substitutes, as well as youngsters Khiara Keating, Ruby Mace and Jess Park.

 Caroline Weir and Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw are unavailable for selection. 

📣 CITY TEAM NEWS 📣

Looking up ⬆

City have the chance to leapfrog Brighton with a win with the Seagulls sitting one place above Taylor's side in the table.

We have 13 points from our opening nine games, winning four, losing four and drawing one, while Brighton have 15 points, having won five and lost four.

Match preview ⬇

Gareth Taylor on Hemp's new deal 💬

“It's fantastic. She's a huge talent. She’s proven that with the accolades she's received over the past few years. That one was really key for us.

“Hopefully, she's the first of many in terms of re-contracting. It’s a real positive step for the Club.

“We are delighted and we have seen really good progress. Last season, she only played the second half of the season and she still went on and won the Young Player of the Year award.

“She’s got the ability to go to the very top of the game. She's at a top Club with us. We've seen her development but we feel there’s so much more to come.

“Individual accolades are good. She's humble and recognises her teammates. But we want to help and support her as much as we can.

“It’s exciting times. When you work with Lauren, she's great to work with. She listens and understands and brings commitment to everything.

“She is quality and it’s a fantastic bit of news for us.”

Hemp: I'm not the finished product 🎥

Hemp on targets 💬

“I think we definitely will [compete]. I wouldn't have signed if I didn't think we could.

“We didn't start like we wanted to but we are slowly getting the form we want.

“We are recovering players and that’s a boost. You are seeing glimpses of the City we want to be. 

“As a team we would love to win trophies. The Champions League and WSL are top of my priority list.”

Lauren Hemp 💬

“When I was at Bristol, I knew coming to City was a big challenge. I was nervous – it was daunting – but I knew it would challenge me.

“It’s the best decision I've ever made to be honest. It took me a year to find my feet but I've taken it in my stride.

“I am delighted [to have signed a new deal]. It gives me stability. I love being at the Club and have done since I signed. I can't wait to keep improving and help us get success in the future.

“It would only ever be City really. It was easy – they didn't have to try too hard. The facilities here are amazing, I am settled in Manchester, I enjoy life. It was a no-brainer.

“I've grown so much as a player. There’s more to do and being here is the best place to do that. The coaches are unbelievable. They help me so much and being around these players will improve me even more. 

“It’s been really good [working with Gareth Taylor]. I have improved as a player and person and he has had a big influence on that.

“He has helped me in a lot of areas of my game and pushes me every day. He's a great coach and great person. I am lucky to be surrounded by great coaches.

“I am surrounded by some of the best in the world. I want to keep playing with the best players. Being here is best for me.”

ICYMI: HUGE news this week 🤩

The skipper 💙

Two hours to go! ⏱

A very good morning from Crawley!

It's the final countdown for our first FA Women's Super League game since Sunday 12 December.

It's been a long wait but City are back.

Team news will land in around half an hour...

Gareth Taylor on Brighton 💬

“They've made changes and even changes in this window, They've been able to bring players in from Sweden. There’s progression at Brighton.

“They have invested in their training facility. There’s a big financial push from the club and they want to push to the next level, which is probably European football.

“When you have that, it makes the league more exciting. We've already seen that.

“For us, it’s about making sure we never underestimate opposition. When we get things right, we will be comfortable, when we don't things are more difficult. To expect to be at 80% and beat Brighton is unrealistic.

“We need to be at our best and clued up on details to stand the best chance.”

Early team news 🗒

Speaking in Friday's press conference, Gareth Taylor says that both Steph Houghton and Lucy Bronze are in contention.

City were boosted by the return of England skipper Houghton to the training pitch earlier this week after several months out with an Achilles injury.

And previewing the trip to the South Coast, the boss said the captain and fellow Lionesses icon Bronze – who had been due to return to action before Christmas – were both in contention for this weekend.

Though boosted by the welcome return of Houghton and Bronze, the boss also revealed that City had been hit by two new positive COVID-19 cases.

The boss also provided a fitness update on Esme Morgan (leg fracture), Ellie Roebuck (calf), Karen Bardsley (hamstring) and Chloe Kelly (ACL) as they continue their recovery from long-term injuries, declaring the quartet are progressing well.

It's matchday! ⚽

The FA Women's Super League is back!

After the Christmas break, the league resumes this weekend and City's first assignment of 2022 - our first game in almost a month - is a trip to Brighton and Hove Albion.

It's an early one - a 12:00 kick-off at Crawley Town's The People's Pension Stadium and we'll have coverage of the clash right here in the Matchday Centre, including pre-match build-up, minute-by-minute text updates and post-match reaction.

Gareth Taylor's side have the chance to leapfrog the Seagulls with a win and will be looking to pick up where we left off in 2021.

Team news will be announced at 11am so stay tuned for that. Could we see captain Steph Houghton return? Or Lucy Bronze earn her first minutes of the season? Who would make your starting XI?

As always, we'd love for you to get in touch so tweet in your thoughts to @ManCityWomen.

Come on, City!