Hemp’s work rate is ‘priceless’ to City, says Taylor | OneFootball

Gareth Taylor says Lauren Hemp’s influence at both ends of the pitch is ‘priceless’ to Manchester City.

It follows the Blues’ 2-1 Barclays Women’s Super League victory over Aston Villa where the England international scored the equaliser and provided the assist for Jill Roord’s winner.

Not only did the skilful winger provide the crucial moments in the visitors’ third, but her tireless defensive work at the Joie Stadium also helped the hosts to three points.

And the Blues boss explained how Hemp has expertly added that to her game which makes her a crucial cog in the Club’s machine.

“She was magical,” he declared.

“With and without the ball. The energy she put in for the team defensively and for Leila was top.

“It’s similar to last season when we went one down to a speculative goal through Turner last year at the Joie Stadium. Lauren was the game changer that day as well.

“She’s just so important to us and I just loved her energy today. She always gives a very good performance Lauren, pretty much and today she almost went up a notch. Her effort and endeavour was very similar to the Barcelona game.

“In this team you have to do it [the defensive work]. It's so important. We’re not a team who can manage those situations without our wingers recovering. We ask a lot from our wingers.

“They’re the first to press and have the furthest to travel when the opposition hit long balls. It’s something Lauren has grown so much into her role here in the last couple of years.

“Her game was already at a really good level and she was well known. She’s priceless in that sense to us because she brings so much to the team.”

By coming from a goal down against Aston Villa at the Joie Stadium, it means we’ve fought back from a losing position to win each of our last three matches.

The trio of successes has also extend our unbeaten run to nine straight matches in all competitions.

And Taylor paid tribute to his players for sticking to our principles in periods of adversity.

He added: “It's impressive when you do that [win from a losing position]. Everything tells you to do the opposite.

“We don’t behave in that way, we try to remain calm as much as we can because we know that calmness will take us back into the game.

“Of course we can raise the intensity sometimes and that’s still playing with a clear mind and the girls did that well today. Whether that was between Laia [Aleixandri], Alex [Greenwood], Hasegawa, Leila [Ouahabi] moving up into position.

“I thought it was a really good performance.”