Chloe Kelly says Gareth Taylor's style of play is bringing out the best in her after a stunning strike helped Man City to a crucial WSL win at Leicester.
With City 1-0 up in a tight game thanks to a Bunny Shaw header, Kelly settled the contest, cutting inside from the right wing to unleash a left-footed drive into the far corner. The result made it 16 games unbeaten for City in all competitions.
Remarkably it was Kelly's first goal since her memorable Euro 2022 final winner against Germany last summer. But although league goals haven't been coming, the London-born winger is still proving an integral part of a City side that have recovered from a tricky start to the season and now sit third in the league with two games against Arsenal, in both the Conti Cup and the WSL, to come.
City boss Taylor said prior to the Leicester game that he had no concerns over Kelly's form and that she was impressing in training with competition for forward places increasing. Instead, he highlighted her output in different areas such as assists and creating chances as part of a wider team effort in which she has played a big role.
“We never really discuss that (lack of goals)," Taylor said ahead of the game. "We always work on other bits, which I think if we get those other bits right usually ends up with seeing good numbers. Whether it be goals, assists, creating chances, you know, we do a lot of work in that space with the players.
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"I’ve spoken about Chloe before, I’m really pleased to see her in this rich, rich vein of training really well and obviously contributing and looking like she really enjoyed herself last Sunday (in the 7-0 FA Cup win over Sheffield United)."
Despite her manager insisting the lack of goals was no issue, Kelly managed to answer any questions with a brilliant finish against the Foxes. And she echoed Taylor's sentiment that she is playing "free" this season off the back of her Euros glory.
Chloe Kelly (left) and Lauren Hemp will be looking to help Man City to a top-three finish in the second half of the season (Getty Images/2022 Manchester City FC)"I think it’s all about confidence," Kelly told ManCity.com. "I’m playing free now and I’m enjoying my football.
"It’s great to play with Filippa Angeldahl she makes things easy for me and Bunny (Shaw), she gets her head on the crosses as well.
"So I’m really enjoying my football and as soon as it ran on the outside I I thought ‘this is the space I want to run in’ and trust my left foot and hit to low as the ‘keeper was saving everything high.
"It was a great performance from the Leicester keeper (Janina Leitzig) and it was hard to break down, we just had to stick with it and we knew the goal would come."
Although he wasn't concerned with her lack of goals so far this season, the City manager was still delighted to see Kelly back on the scoresheet.
"For Chloe, of course I'm really pleased for her," said Taylor. "I'm not too concerned (about goals) we want to win, but we don't really care who scores the goals.
"We've put a big emphasis on Bunny Shaw this season and she has done amazing. The rest of the players will chip in.
"What it is good for is Chloe's confidence. We have high faith in her. And the other wingers are also chipping in with goals, like Hayley and Lauren (Hemp) so we're in a good spot.
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"As I said, we've good level of players and different types of options.
"We could have done more, their goalkeeper was inspired. It was pleasing, it was a difficult place to come and we did well in all areas."
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