Gareth Taylor Praises Manchester City's Resilience In Physical Test Against Hammarby

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Manchester City head coach Gareth Taylor expressed satisfaction with his team's performance against Hammarby in their 2-0 Champions League win. This victory continued City's unbeaten streak this season, following a draw with Arsenal on the opening day. "Difficult game for us, physical challenge, a physical team in Hammarby," Taylor remarked post-match.

City's triumph places them at the top of their Champions League group, maintaining a perfect record after three games. They are three points ahead of Barcelona, who sit in second place. Taylor made some changes to the starting lineup, including leaving out Lauren Hemp from the squad entirely.

Taylor acknowledged that Hammarby posed a significant physical challenge, particularly given their size advantage over City's midfield. He praised his players for handling this aspect well. "I thought we dominated the game," he noted, adding that they needed to improve their final actions early on.

The inclusion of Khadija Shaw and Alanna Kennedy was crucial for dealing with set plays due to their physical presence. At one point, Ayaka Yamashita made an important save when City was leading 1-0. Aoba Fujino's goal later allowed City to adjust their strategy and manage player fatigue effectively.

Regarding Lauren Hemp's absence, Taylor explained it was due to an issue that arose during the Palace game on 3 November. Although she played against Tottenham last Friday, she wasn't fit for the match against Hammarby. "We’ve just got an issue with Lauren that we just need to analyse a little bit further," he stated.

Taylor hopes Hemp can return for their upcoming match against Chelsea in the WSL. He plans to discuss her condition with medical staff before making any decisions about her availability for the weekend fixture.

Taylor emphasised that dealing with Hammarby's physicality required preparation but executing it on the field was another matter. He commended his players for rising to the occasion and managing the challenges effectively throughout the match.

As City prepares for their next game against Chelsea, Taylor remains optimistic about maintaining their winning momentum while addressing any injury concerns within the squad. The team aims to continue their strong form both domestically and in European competitions.