Nikita Parris

Manchester City Women roar into the Continental Cup semi finals with seven goal thrashing of Brighton

January 10, 2019 by Paul Chan

MANCHESTER CITY WOMEN 7, BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION WOMEN 1 (CONTINENTAL CUP QUARTER FINAL)

Manchester City Women made it into an all-star Continental Cup semi finals alongside Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United after beating Brighton and Hove Albion 7-1.

Lauren Hemp congratulates Nikita Parris on her goal against Brighton at the City Football Academy in the Continental Cup on January 10 2019 — Lauren Hemp congratulates Nikita Parris on her 50th Man City goal against Brighton at the City Football Academy in the Continental Cup on January 10 2019

It’s been a high scoring week for a variety of Manchester City teams in cup competitions, with the mens team hitting 16 goals in two games and the U-21 team getting four at Rochdale in the Checkatrade Trophy.

The women got in on the goal deluge with seven at home to Brighton with four of them not arriving until after the 85th minute.

Goals by Nikita Parris, Lauren Hemp (twice), Caroline Weir, Claire Emslie, Georgia Stanway and Janine Beckie in injury time sent the Blues through to a mouthwatering Continental Cup semi final line-up alongside Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United.

While it’s possible that there will be a Manchester women’s derby this season, Brighton won’t be looking forward to their league visit to the City Football Academy in a little over two weeks on Sunday, January 27, after their late collapse as Danielle Buet’s penalty equaliser after just eight minutes was a distant memory by the end of a game played in thick fog for the most part.

City played three at the back against Brighton with McManus, Bonner and Houghton across the defence shielded by Keira Walsh and Jill Scott as deep lying midfielders.

Ahead of them, Lauren Hemp partnered Nikita Parris up front while midfield had Claire Emslie down the left and while Caroline Weir supported the strikers and Mel Lawley patrolled the right flank.

Parris opened the scoring with a delicate chip after just six minutes – her 50th goal for City – but Danielle Buet levelled from the penalty spot just two minutes later after Ini Umotong was brought down by Karen Bardsley as she tried to shape for a shot in the area.

Bardsley went the right way but the spot kick was well placed and went in off the woodwork.

Parris could have restored City’s lead with a rasping shot after 17 minutes but Sophie Harris tipped the ball away.

Parris’ cross was blazed over by Hemp who from 6 yards out a minute later as City failed to take a great chance to put their noses in front.

Hemp made up for her error when her close range shot was spilled by Harris and dropped into the back of the net after 24 minutes much to the horror of the Brighton goalkeeper.

Hemp’s header from Lawley’s cross looped up onto the top of the net when she had the chance to extend City’s lead as they settled into the game.

Brighton had their chances in the first half – Chloe Peplow’s free kick was easy for Bardsley to save while Aileen Whelan saw her shot go wide for the Seagulls.

But it was City who dominated the rest of the half with a Walsh shot deflected wide as the gloom descended in Manchester

Pauline Bremer (centre) and Esme Morgan (right) keeping warm in the fog at Man City vs Brighton on January 10 2019

Brighton made a double change early in the second half with Buet and Peplow replaced by Ellie Hack and Kayleigh Green.

Emslie’s cross from the left was headed wide by Parris as City continued to dominate, though as the corner count racked up in favour of the home side.

Caroline Weir hammered in City’s third from outside the area and off the inside of the far post after 59 minutes when Brighton failed to deal with a loose ball following Hemp’s earlier effort.

City blow Brighton way with late barrage in the fog

City were comfortable in the final third of the game, which saw Janine Beckie come on to replace goalscorer Parris after 68 minutes while Albion replaced Umotong with Ellie Brazil.

Emslie blazed over from Beckie’s cutback while Walsh went close from range as City stroked the ball around in the cold pea souper fog in the second half with Hemp drilling in a fourth for City – her second of the night – before being given a well earned rest as Pauline Bremer replaced her in the dying minutes.

There was even time for Emslie to grab a fifth for City with Brighton flagging – just reward for her work rate a and set piece delivery on the night – before substitute Georgia Stanway made it 6 and then Janine Beckie scored a seventh in injury time.

GOALS – Manchester City Women 7, Brighton and Hove Albion Women 1

Man City Women 1, Brighton 0: 6. Nikita Parris with a delicate chip over Sophie Harris

Man City Women 1, Brighton 1: 8. Danielle Buet levelled matters with a well struck penalty just beyond the grasp of Karen Bardsley after the City goalkeeper had brought down Ini Umotong.

Man City Women 2, Brighton 1: 24. Sophie Harris spilled Lauren Hemp’s close range shot and the Brighton ‘keeper could only watch in horror as it dropped behind her into the goal

Man City Women 3, Brighton 1: 59. Caroline Weir with a trademark 20 yard rocket to put the game beyond the visitors.

Man City Women 4, Brighton 1: 85. Lauren Hemp drilled in City’s fourth – her second of the night – to underline their dominance on the night.

Man City Women 5, Brighton 1: 88. Claire Emslie curls her finish past a demoralised Brighton side.

Man City Women 6, Brighton 1: 90. Georgia Stanway from the edge of the area after some neat interplay.

Man City Women 7, Brighton 1: 90+3. Janine Beckie with a solo run and goal in injury time after a ball over the top.

MATCH STATS – Manchester City Women 6, Brighton and Hove Albion Women 1

Man City Women: Bardsley, Emslie, McManus, Houghton, Bonner, Lawley, Walsh, Scott, Weir (Stanway 77), Hemp (Bremer 87), Parris (Beckie 68)

Man City Women Subs not used: Roebuck, Beattie, Morgan

Booked: Houghton 20

Goals: Parris 6; Hemp 24, 85; Weir 59; Emslie 88, Stanway 90, Beckie 90+3

Brighton and Hove Albion: Harris, Buet (Hack 52), Whelan, Barton, Umotong (Brazil 67), Natkiel, Peplow (Green 52), Legg, Perry, Simpkins, Williams

Brighton and Hove Albion Subs not used: Hourihan, Rafferty, Gibbons

Booked: Brazil 73 Williams 82

Goal: Buet 8 pen

Attendance: 786

West Ham Women blitzed by seven goal Manchester City Women

October 14, 2018 by Paul Chan

MANCHESTER CITY WOMEN 7, WEST HAM WOMEN 1

Caroline Weir scored after two minutes and a Nikita Parris scored within the first 17 minutes but that was only the first half as after the break Georgia Stanway also scored twice with Steph Houghton and Tessa Wullaert rounding off the scoring as Manchester City Women routed West Ham Women to go second in the Women’s Super League.

Caroline Weir celebrates her goal for Manchester City Women against West Ham on Sunday, October 14, 2018

Karen Bardsley, Lauren Hemp, Mel Lawley, Demi Stokes, Megan Campbell, and Pauline Bremer were all on the sidelines as City’s injury list lengthened and Nick Cushing opted for a 4-4-2 line-up with Nikita Parris and Claire Emslie playing as a fast front pair with Caroline Weir and Tessa Wullaert providing width for City.

And City got off to a great start with three goals in 17 minutes, and Caroline Weir had a hand in all three.

Weir struck first for City with a stunning volley from the edge of the West Ham area after a looping ball fell to her less than two minutes into the game.

The Scottish attacking midfielder started the move which ended with City’s goal after seven minutes. Weir’s left wing cross was headed back into the mix by Jill Scott, and Ria Percival’s miskicked clearance was pounced on by Nikita Parris whose inventive back header looped into the net with Rebecca Spencer wrong-footed.

And when Weir came inside she found the space to thread a ball through to Parris who skipped past Spencer and stroked the ball into an empty net from 6 yards out after just 17 minutes.

Weir’s corner was headed wide by Scott five minutes later as City kept up the pressure on the Hammers.

Nikita Parris celebrates Man City Women's second goal against West Ham on Sunday, October 14, 2018 — Nikita Parris celebrates Man City Women’s second goal against West Ham on Sunday, October 14, 2018

City’s defence held up well to any attempts by West Ham to get into shooting positions, blocking and intercepting incursions before they became dangerous.

City become more expansive with a 3-0 cushion, with the full backs pushing up more and both Weir and Tessa Wullaert coming inside to create overloads but this allowed West Ham chances to get back into the game.

Julia Simic and Alisha Lehmann saw efforts go wide for the Hammers and former City striker Jane Ross found herself one on one with Ellie Roebuck shortly after the restart but the England youngster raced off her line to clear the ball after Ross’ first touch.

Simic sent an effort well over the bar after Ross’ cut back as City continued to cruise in the second half and Brianna Visalli forced a save out of Roebuck to tip her shot wide as West Ham started to play their way into the game.

Wullaert and Gemma Bonner crosses caused Spencer some nervy moments while Georgia Stanway almost wriggled free of Gilly Flaherty on a break and would have had a free run on the West Ham goal had she done so.

Manchester City’s second half goal storm sweeps West Ham away

No need to wait though, as a poor clearance by Spencer fell to Parris and she skipped over the challenge of Brooke Hendrix and produced a fine cross for Stanway to tap in from 3 yards in the 71st minute.

Ellie Roebuck made another save to retain the clean sheet but the game was well and truly up in the 76th minute when Weir’s free kick was met by the head of captain Steph Houghton who made it 5-0.

Stanway scored her second of the match to make it 6-0 with 10 minutes to go after skipping the challenge of Flaherty and slotting past Spencer after a great through ball by Wullaert.

West Ham had their consolation goal with 8 minutes to go, when one of their attacks finally paid off with substitute Esmee De Graaf beating Roebuck from a narrow angle after a fine pass by Ross.

But City’s goal deluge wasn’t over as Wullaert’s 25 yard shot was spilled by the luckless Spencer into her own goal.

And in the middle of all that there had been time for Wullaert’s shot to come off the post but Parris missed the chance of a hat trick with her follow up.

There could have been an eighth for City in added time when Stanway pumped a ball into the area but Houghton flicked the ball wide.

GOALS – Manchester City Women 7, West Ham Women 1

Man City Women 1, West Ham Women 0: 2. Caroline Weir with a stunning volley from the edge of the area, left footed after West Ham failed to clear their lines.

Man City Women 2, West Ham Women 0: 7. A miskicked clearance by Ria Percival was pounced on by Nikita Parris whose back header looped into the net with Rebecca Spencer wrong-footed.

Man City Women 3, West Ham Women 0: 17. Nikita Parris rounded Spencer and slotted into an empty net after a defence splitting pass by Caroline Weir.

Man City Women 4, West Ham Women 0: 71. Substitute Georgia Stanway had a tap-in from 3 yards after Nikita Parris intercepted Rebecca Spencer’s clearance, skipped over Brooke Hendrix’ challenge and her cross from the right was laid on a plate for the young City forward.

Man City Women 5, West Ham Women 0: 76. Caroline Weir’s free kick from the left was attacked by Steph Houghton whose header flew in past Spencer.

Man City Women 6, West Ham Women 0: 80. Georgia Stanway is supplied by Tessa Wullaert from the right, skips the challenge of Gilly Flaherty and scores.

Man City Women 6, West Ham Women 1: 82. Esmee De Graaf scored a consolation goal from a narrow angle on the right as West Ham finally got on the scoresheet after a fine pass by Jane Ross.

Man City Women 7, West Ham Women 1: 86. Tessa Wullaert’s 25 yarder was spilled by Rebecca Spencer into her own net.

MATCH STATS – Manchester City Women 7, West Ham Women 1

Man City Women: Roebuck, Morgan, Beattie, Houghton, Bonner, Scott (Park 86), Walsh, Wullaert, Weir, Parris, Emslie (Stanway 69)

Man City Women Subs not used: Stenson, Nadim, McManus

Goals: Weir 2; Parris 7, 17; Stanway 71, 80; Houghton 76; Wullaert 86

West Ham Women: Spencer, Percival, Simon, Hendrix, Flaherty, Lehmann, Ross, Simic (De Graaf 69), Rafferty, Longhurst (Sampson 90+1), Visalli (Kmita 77)

West Ham Women Subs not used: Moorhouse

Goal: De Graaf 82

Player of the Match: Nikita Parris

Attendance: 1245

Steph Houghton’s last gasp goal secures a point for Manchester City Women

September 23, 2018 by Paul Chan

MANCHESTER CITY WOMEN 2, BRISTOL CITY WOMEN 2

It has been a difficult week for Manchester City’s Women’s team captain Steph Houghton, but she put her troubles behind her for 90 minutes to score a last minute equaliser after it seemed for long periods that Bristol City women would be recording a shock win at the City Football Academy Stadium.

Danique Kerkdijk celebrates after scoring for Bristol City Women

Danique Kerkdijk and Juliette Kempii scored for Bristol City’s Women after mistakes by Karen Bardsley but a late Nikita Parris penalty gave Manchester City hope before captain Steph Houghton curled in an equaliser at the end.

Only a week earlier, Manchester City had beaten Bristol City 3-0 away in the Continental Tyres Cup but they were wasteful in front of goal back at the City Football Academy and looked off the pace after Bardsley’s errors left City 2-0 down until the 83rd minute.

The visitors sat back on their lead with a deep lying defence, inviting pressure from City, but had their own goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley to thank for keeping a first half clean sheet despite being under intense siege from City.

Although City had started impressively, it was Bristol City who had the better chances with Ella Rutherford twice breaking free after intercepting loose balls but Bardsley wasn’t overly troubled.

Karen Bardsley mistakes almost condemn City to defeat

It all changed after just 16 minutes following a free kick routine by the Bristol City players. With the sun in her eyes, Bardsley dropped Ella Rutherford’s high looping ball in front of her and Kerkdijk was well placed for the tap-in.

Karen Bardsley shielding her eyes against the sun

Encouraged, Kemppi tried her luck from range while City tried to get back into the game with a good header by Nadia Nadim testing Sophie Baggaley following a left wing cross by Caroline Weir.

Weir’s corner was headed towards goal by Jill Scott as City kept up the pressure with Baggaley again making the save while Tessa Wullaert’s shot was deflected over the bar, Claire Emslie’s header from Parris’ cross went wide, Weir’s shot was saved by Baggaley and captain Steph Houghton was also off target with a close range shot.

Weir tried another low shot from range which Baggaley tipped away while Nadim was wasteful with a turn and shot and Houghton saw a free kick deflected for a corner.

Keira Walsh curled one towards the top corner after collecting Weir’s corner but was thwarted again by a great save by Baggaley.

Sophie Baggaley kept Bristol City Women in the game

Baggaley was immensely brave to dive down to block a certain goal by a sliding Nadim who was reaching for a ball into the area.

Wullaert tested Baggaley before the break but found 21 year old equal to her low drive.

Juliette Kempii celebrates her goal for Bristol City Women against Manchester City Women

The Vixens hit City on the break, just 5 minutes into the second half, when Bardsley came out of her area to collect a loose ball, lost out to Kemppi and could only watch helplessly as the Finnish striker lobbed the ball 40 yards into the empty net.

Cushing threw on Georgia Stanway and Jess Park – sacrificing Nadia Nadim and Jill Scott – as City searched for a way back into the game but found themselves running into a red wall at every turn.

City become sloppy in the second half, seeing key passes blocked by the Bristol defenders as they tried to pick their way through.

Frustration spilled over as Stanway was booked for a foul on Alicia Johnson.

But Johnson was responsible for a way back into the game for City after she tripped Nikita Parris in the area and Parris duly buried the resulting penalty to give City renewed hope.

Stanway fired over the bar as City closed in on an unlikely equaliser but it duly came at the end of regulation time when Emslie’s cross was laid off to Houghton by Stanway and the City captain curled the ball 20 yards into the net beyond the dive of Baggaley.

City laid siege to the Bristol goal, going close several times in injury time, but the visitors clung on for a point after managing to repel a final attack by Parris, who had earlier celebrated 100 appearances for the club, despite looking likely to take all three for most of the match.

The result leaves City in third, four points behind the WSL pace setters Arsenal Women and Birmingham City Women, after three rounds of the new league season.

GOALS – Manchester City Women 2, Bristol City Women 2

16. A free kick routine by the Bristol City players caught City cold. With the sun in her eyes, Karen Bardsley dropped Ella Rutherford’s looping free kick in front of her and Danique Kerkdijk was well placed for the tap-in.

48. Karen Bardsley came well out of her area to collect a loose ball, lost out to Juliette Kemppi, and could only watch helplessly as the Finnish striker lobbed the ball 40 yards into the empty net.

83. Nikita Parris buries a penalty after being tripped by Alicia Johnson in the Bristol area.

90. Claire Emslie’s cross was laid off to Steph Houghton by Georgia Stanway and the City captain curled the ball into the net from outside the area beyond the dive of Baggaley.

MATCH STATS – Manchester City Women 2, Bristol City Women 2

Man City Women: Bardsley, Weir, Houghton, Beattie, McManus (Bonner 46), Walsh, Scott (Stanway 55), Wullaert, Parris, Emslie, Nadim (Park 55)

Man City Women Subs not used: Roebuck, Mie Leth Jans, Lawley, Morgan

Booked: Stanway

Goals: Parris 83 pen, Houghton 90

Bristol City Women: Baggaley, Dykes, Evans (Johnson 73), Brown, Kerkdijk, Pattinson (Woolley 90+4), Humphrey, Kemppi, Rutherford (Payne 68), Graham, Biesmans

Bristol City Women Subs not used: Cummings, Rood, Ayane, Wilson

Goals: Kerkdijk 16, Kempii 50

Attendance: 1,338

Late strikes as Manchester City Women beat FC Barcelona Women in pre-season friendly

August 12, 2018 by Paul Chan

MANCHESTER CITY WOMEN 2, FC BARCELONA WOMEN 0

Mel Lawley scored a wonderful solo goal to beat FC Barcelona Women at the City Football Academy in their last pre-season friendly before the start of the new WSL season.

Some of the younger City players such as Lauren Hemp and Georgia Stanway were away (and scoring goals aplenty) at the Women’s U20 World Cup while ex-City striker Toni Duggan lined up for Barcelona.

Steph Houghton runs over to celebrate a goal against Barcelona with Claire Emslie and goalscorer Mel Lawley

City started their final pre-season friendly with Gemma Bonner at right back, with Caroline Weir anchoring midfield and Tessa Wullaert deployed behind Nadia Nadim.

Jill Scott and Kheira Hamraoui both had long range efforts saved in the opening minutes, Scott’s was a long ranger belter which had Pamela Tajonor diving to save what would have been a special goal.

Mel Lawley was lively down City’s left flank making trademark direct runs into the Barcelona defence. She was fouled on one of those runs and Weir sent the resulting free kick just wide.

City were in their comfort until Barcelona mounted an attack of their own and Mariona Caldentey sent a shot just wide of Karen Bardsley’s goal.

Lawley was at it again after after the half hour mark when another trademark run left Andrea Pereira on her backside before she cut inside and delivered a cross which Nadia Nadim screwed wide with an acrobatic overhead kick.

The visitors were hit by an injury to Hamraoui, who was replaced by Barbara Latorre after 31 minutes.

Latorre proved to be a tricky customer and Barcelona upped their game at the end of the first half, with Melanie Serrano’s shot giving Bardsley something to think about.

Mel Lawley tormented the Barcelona defence throughout and scored a great solo goal

Lawley had earlier a key role in a great City chance when she exchanged passes with Abbie McManus before her cross found Nikita Parris whose header was denied by some good Barcelona defending.

Nadim, who has asked for a transfer, didn’t have a good night of it – flagged offside several times for City when through balls emerged from midfield – she was hooked at half time for Claire Emslie while Jill Scott was rested and Keira Walsh came on.

Emslie offered an extra dimension on City’s right flank but Lieke Martens’ shot was the first dangerous one in the second period with Barcelona upping their game.

Latorre’s second half rocket was tipped over by Bardsley as the visitors rallied with tackles flying in on both sides and City’s keeper was again asked to make a save as the ball bobbled around in the box with Barca players chasing it down.

It was a moment of magic from Walsh that unlocked the Barca defence. Her defence splitting pass released Mel Lawley who completely outpaced a Barca defender who was caught napping and left her behind, rounding Tajonor and scoring a well deserved goal after 75 minutes.

Nikita Parris had been booked earlier in the second half for diving but she scored a late penalty in the 87th minute when she was brought down by Maria Leon.

Parris was immediately replaced by Jess Parks in a fitting end to a absorbing pre-season contest for City.

MATCH STATS – MAN CITY WOMEN 2, FC BARCELONA WOMEN 0

Man City Women: Bardsley, Bonner, Houghton, Beattie, McManus, Weir, Scott (Walsh 46), Wullaert, Parris (Parks 88), Lawley, Nadim (Emslie 46)

Man City Women Subs not used: Stenson, Bradley

Booked: Scott 45, Parris 61

Goals: Lawley 75, Parris 87

Barcelona: Tajonor, Gili (Pereira 55), Pereira (Van de Gragt 46, Fernandez 70), Leon Serrano, Losada, Caldentey, Hamraoui (Latorre 31, Martens 79), Duggan, Putellas, Martens (Alves 60)

Barcelona Subs not used: Fernandez, Panos, Esteve, Gutierre, Armengol, Font

Note: Rolling Subs used by Barcelona

Attendance: 1279

Jill Scott double sends Manchester City’s Women back into the Champions League

May 20, 2018 by Paul Chan

MANCHESTER CITY WOMEN 3, EVERTON LADIES 0

A quickfire brace of goals in the second half calmed Manchester City nerves as they beat Everton Ladies 3-0 and qualified for next season’s Women’s Champions League after finishing second in WSL1 following Jill Scott goals either side of a Nikita Parris finish.

City boss Nick Cushing made just one change from the 5-0 win over Yeovil Town last Wednesday, with Mie Jans coming in for Esme Morgan as Manchester City aimed to win to guarantee Champions League football for next season.

Jill Scott celebrates a goal against Everton Ladies

Arsenal did their bit in the race for second place, comfortably leading 5-0 at Bristol City at half time, but City had a more tense afternoon against Everton until they pulled away with the extra goals.

Toffees defender Siri Worm was wayward with a couple of free kicks while Nikita Parris blazed the ball over from Claire Emslie’s cutback from the left in a goalless opening.

Everton had good chances to score though, with Jen Beattie booked for a last ditch tackle to prevent Danielle Turner from getting away from her while the fleet footed Everton forward was later denied by a brave dive at her feet by Karen Bardsley as she raced into the area with the ball.

Beattie’s layoff to Parris saw the England winger’s fierce shot blocked by Kirstie Levell but the Everton ‘keeper couldn’t stop Jill Scott’s rocket into the top corner in the 22nd minute as City broke the deadlock.

City could have doubled their lead soon after when Mel Lawley’s raking pass found Emslie on the left flank but her cross was just in front of Parris.

Everton briefly threatened again, with Bardsley called on to save a shot by Courtney Sweetman-Kirk, but City were pulling ahead on chances with Georgia Stanway’s long range effort was just wide while Parris and Scott saw their headers go wide and Scott had one saved on the line by Levell as City outbattled their visitors.

Stanway’s ball into the centre saw Parris’ chance go wide just before the break with City in their stride.

Jill Scott and Nikita Parris make sure of European football next season for Manchester City Women

City remained comfortable in the second half, with Steph Houghton’s free kick sailing over the bar but City doubled their lead when Nikita Parris volleyed in their second of the game on 57 minutes after Lawley’s cross was headed into her path by Stanway.

Sweetman-Kirk’s header was saved by Bardsley as Everton reacted quickly to the setback with an attack of their own a couple of minutes later but City made it 3-0 quickly when Scott slid in City’s third just before the hour mark following a short goal kick by Levell to Marthe Munsterman who tried to pass it back to her ‘keeper only for Scott to react first and slide the ball past Levell.

Everton made a change, with Worm making way for Elise Hughes after 65 minutes while goalscorers Parris and Scott were replaced by Nadia Nadim and Izzy Christiansen with City now in control of the game.

Christiansen could have made it 4-0 after lifting Lawley’s cutback over the goal as Levell and Everton were put under continual pressure by City who finished the game comfortably in control of their Champions League destiny with Houghton’s header cleared off the Everton line in the dying minutes.

MAN CITY WOMEN 3, EVERTON 0 – MATCH STATS

Man City Women: Bardsley, Jans, Beattie, Houghton, McManus, Walsh, Scott (Christiansen 72), Stanway, Emslie, Lawley, Parris (Nadim 72)

Man City Women Subs not used: Roebuck, Morgan, Ross, Middag, Toone

Booked: Beattie 11

Goals: Scott (22, 60), Parris 57

Everton Ladies: Levell, Turner, Worm (Hughes 65), George, Brett, Munsterman, Hinds, Sweetman-Kirk, Finnigan, Green, Bryson

Everton Ladies Subs not used: Doyle, Wilson

Attendance 1,605