Rookie boss Gareth Taylor wants his winners to lift the FA Cup TWICE in one season – and the Manchester City manager might need a little more luck with the woodwork if his dream is to come true after winning at Wembley
Gareth Taylor must have started to think the Wembley gods were working against him when Steph Houghton’s extra-time header was pushed onto the post by Sandy MacIver.
It was the third time the woodwork had thwarted his side after Caroline Weir had hit the post and bar in the second half. Everton, playing in yellow, may as well have painted the goals in the same colour.
But goalkeeper MacIver was just as responsible for keeping Willie Kirk’s side in the game. Time after time she was in the way, the pick of the saves coming against her former team-mate and flatmate Chloe Kelly – who left the Toffees in the summer.
Manager Gareth Taylor was left impressed by what he saw as Manchester City won the FA Cup
City secured glory at an empty Wembley and their boss has challenged them to repeat the win
After Weir had hit the post, the ball fell to the winger inside the penalty area, only for MacIver to throw herself across goal to palm the ball over the bar.
So often, missed chances come back to haunt teams in cup finals and with every MacIver save, it looked more like it was going to be one of those days for Taylor’s side.
The City boss was perhaps under pressure going into the final. His team are seven points behind WSL leaders Arsenal and his big-name summer signings, with the exception of Sam Mewis, are still finding their rhythm.
Steph Houghton (centre) came close as City tested the woodwork three times during the final
In the end, it was Taylor who won the tactical battle. His decision to bring on Georgia Stanway and academy graduate Jess Park proved decisive as the two subs combined to find the breakthrough.
Stanway got in behind the Everton defence to meet Park’s through ball and squeezed a finish in off the post – the woodwork and MacIver finally beaten.
Another substitute, Janine Beckie, combined with Stanway to make it 3-1 with the last kick of the game after Everton had pushed forward.
Taylor’s first piece of silverware comes just nine games into his managerial career. He will be hoping his side can return to Wembley for the 2020-2021 FA Cup final, but he might want to have a word with the goalposts before kick-off.
Taylor took time out to pose with the trophy after seeing his players triumph in the showpiece
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