Taylor proud of ‘gritty’ Man City display in Hammarby victory

Gareth Taylor was pleased with the way his Manchester City players handled the atmosphere against Hammarby to secure their passage to the Champions League quarter-finals.

Khadija Shaw opened the scoring in the 31st minute before Ellen Wangerheim restored parity with a close-range finish shortly after the break.

But Shaw continued her good start to the season and scored the winner to become City's all-time top scorer in the league, surpassing Georgia Stanway and Janine Beckie (both six).

The result saw City reach the last eight of the competition for the first time since 2021, although Thursday's encounter at the Tele2 Arena was far from comfortable.

Hammarby finished the match with an expected goals total (xG) of 2.15 compared to the visitors' 1.07, despite both sides having 14 shots throughout the match.

FULL TIME | QUALIFIED!

1-2 #ManCity | #UWCL pic.twitter.com/SVbSnHdE4k

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However, City maintained their unbeaten record against Swedish sides in the rival (W6), and Taylor was proud of his side's “gritty” performance in Stockholm.

“I am very happy. Tonight was about qualifying for us,” Taylor said.

“There were a number of ways we could do that. Obviously we knew one point was enough, but I don't think the players thought that way.

“It was a very hard performance on a very difficult pitch on this pitch. It probably doesn't look like that to viewers at home.

“But it was a very lively surface and we worked so hard.

“I felt like we could control the game better in some areas. I have to give credit to Hammarby, they were very aggressive.

“The referee was a bit on our side in the first half, but maybe not in the second.

“I am very happy and proud of the players, they really committed themselves tonight. With a victory you leave a hostile environment.”