Taylor pleased with Prior’s maturity | OneFootball

Gareth Taylor was delighted by Gracie Prior’s mature performance against Liverpool but joked that the young defender’s first senior goal was actually an attempted cross.

The 20-year-old rounded off the scoring when she looped an effort over Teagan Micah and into the top corner to make it 4-0 at the Joie Stadium.

It was her first start in the Barclays Women’s Super League, with Prior impressing throughout at right-back aside from her goal, which built on a Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw brace and Jill Roord effort.

Drafted in as a late replacement, Taylor felt she took the opportunity in her stride, even if there was a hint of fortune about her maiden City strike.

“[She was] Really good. Gracie was called on really late. Naomi Layzell was down to play but was feeling nauseous, so we decided to put her on the bench and see how she was after the warm-up.

“She still wasn’t feeling great but Gracie got her opportunity slightly out of position, but I thought she was excellent with and without the ball.

“She made a really solid start, I thought she handled it really well, she was really mature for someone so young.

“I wasn’t sure she meant the goal though, I asked her afterwards and she just smiled which told me everything!”

City signed off for the latest international break with three successive wins in the League Cup, FA Cup and WSL.

Liverpool came into the tie having lost just once in the new year, but the Blues were full value for our emphatic win at the Joie Stadium, which closed the gap on the top three back to two points.

And Taylor felt the timing of our first two goals, both scored by Shaw in the first half, eased the nerves and allowed City to play our usual free-flowing style.

WATCH: Prior on first City goal: I’ll claim a shot!

“I think three points and a clean sheet are important for us,” he added.

“Even though Liverpool put you under pressure, they play that way against most teams. I thought we started well, lost a bit of confidence which allowed them to get a bit more momentum.

“But then we scored the goals which changed everything, and the confidence grew again.

“I’m pleased with the performance tonight. The girls followed the game plan really well, we made changes which didn’t affect the flow and tried to protect a few who have played quite a bit at the moment, so overall I’m really pleased.”