City get first win of WSL season

Manchester City 2 - 1 Brighton & Hove Albion

Manchester City struck twice in the second half to come from behind against Brighton and hand new manager Andrée Jeglertz his first Women’s Super League victory.

Author | Macca

Stadium | Joie Stadium

Jeglertz had seen his debut in English football end with defeat at defending champions Chelsea, and his side were soon on the back foot again when Fran Kirby converted in the 14th minute after Khiara Keating had parried Michelle Agyemang’s shot.

City found greater urgency after the interval and were level just before the hour. Khadija Shaw, joint Golden Boot winner last season, powered in a diving header to restore parity. With 16 minutes remaining, Yui Hasegawa produced a precise finish to seal the turnaround.

READ MORE | Manchester City start WSL season with a defeat

Brighton were left to rue their missed chances before half-time. Vivianne Miedema spurned four opportunities, the best of which saw her deflected effort tipped wide by Chiamaka Nnadozie.

Miedema was withdrawn for Aoba Fujino, who immediately made her mark, supplying the pass for Hasegawa’s winner. The substitute gathered possession inside the box and had the vision to slide the ball across to her compatriot, who calmly slotted past Nnadozie.

How good is Hasegawa?

Are there any superlatives left to capture Yui Hasegawa’s influence? When City announced on transfer deadline day that she had agreed a contract extension, it was rightly hailed as one of the most significant deals in the WSL.

The Japan captain was among the best players on the pitch in last week’s defeat to Chelsea and scarcely deserved to finish on the losing side. Yet Hasegawa is not one to dwell on disappointment, a fact underlined by her display against Brighton.

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She recorded 74 touches and completed 50 of 55 passes. It may not have been her most eye-catching performance, but she made the decisive contribution when it mattered.

Now deployed in a role that allows her greater licence to advance, Hasegawa needed only one touch to set herself before guiding her finish past Chiamaka Nnadozie.

Her teammates swarmed around her in celebration, a moment that spoke volumes about her importance to the squad and the club.