Manchester City head coach Gareth Taylor praised Chloe Kelly after the striker marked her return to the starting line-up with a stirring display in the Citizens 4-1 Vitality Women’s FA Cup semi-final victory over West Ham.
The 24-year-old suffered an ACL injury last May and only returned to action two weeks ago as a substitute in a Barclays FA WSL meeting between the two teams, a match City won 2-0. Kelly and Ellen White both scored in the first half to give them a well-deserved lead at the Chigwell Construction Stadium.
“It was a good performance against a tough team,” said Taylor. “I was happy with elements of our play and we scored some good goals.
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“It’s a big one for her [Kelly]. We know her quality. Regardless of whether she scores or not today we know the form she brought last season and the impact she made on the WSL for us.
“I think you’re never really too sure how she’s going to go. She’s only had 30 minutes under her belt. I think outside of the goal, a lot of her play was very good. She was dangerous, she created crosses, she created opportunities for her teammates.
“When you’re a West Ham player in the back line and Chloe’s going off and Hayley Ruso’s coming on, the options we have at the moment are very good.”
While the visitors dominated proceedings, a moment of fragility of the back allowed West Ham star Lisa Evans to pounce and pull the hosts back to just one goal behind at half time.
The Hammers threatened at times in the second half, though Lauren Hemp’s 66th minute strike — followed by a second goal in added time — sealed a spot in the final for the Citizens.
Taylor was also full of praise for Hemp, who starred once again in what has been a career-best season for the forward. The 21-year-old has led City’s line throughout the current campaign, and her two superb strikes effectively helped Taylor’s side fend off West Ham’s comeback in the second half.
Taylor said: “You know that Lauren is going to get chances. I thought she took her chances very well today.
“She was here two weeks ago and didn’t score and had a couple of good opportunities, some of them very similar, so she’s heading in the right direction.
“For top-end players it’s always about top end players and good decision making. Our front three today all scored, which is very positive.”
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