Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor has said he believes there is no room for error in his side's quest for their first Women's Super League (WSL) title since 2016.

With no Premier League action this weekend owing to the men's international break, Man City are hosting Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium instead of their usual Joie Stadium.

City have won the previous two derbies this season (3-1 in the league and 2-1 in the Conti Cup) and are hoping another statement win against Marc Skinner's United will propel their chances of lifting the WSL trophy in May.

"Every game is so important, though, because the margin for error is really tight," Taylor said in a news conference on Friday.

"Any kind of dropped point here or there can be quite damaging. We don't underestimate any game. But I probably have to agree [that this is] one of the biggest derbies."

City are second in the table, level on points with first-placed Chelsea but behind because of their inferior goal difference. While the six-point gap that exists between them and third-placed Arsenal means a top-three finish is nearly assured, Taylor remains steadfast in his plans to clinch the title.

"We are now joined on points [with Chelsea]. We feel we can catch that goal difference up; it's only a small one. But we can't neglect what's in front of us, and I think that starts with tomorrow and being really up for this battle, which we will be," he said.

"It's a Manchester Derby; it's always going to be cagey. Both teams want the bragging rights. We try to keep it normal by playing the game, not the occasion. We understand the implications in terms of results. But we have to enjoy this moment and really commend the players on how well we've done to be in this position."

This will be the fourth occasion that City women will grace the Etihad and the third time they have hosted the Manchester derby at the iconic venue (first in 2019, then in 2022).

Taylor anticipates that the shift to the 53,000-capacity stadium from the Joie Stadium, which accommodates 7,000, will become a more frequent occurrence next season.

"This is not something we get to experience very often. Moving forward, It'd be really nice if we had it more often because then it will start to feel more normal for us," he said.

"I think the gradual progression for us will be maybe doing it a few times next season. That's the logical step."

Source:
courtesy of ESPN

by Emily Keogh

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