Vivianne Miedema netted a debut goal and Jess Park scored twice as Manchester City brushed off Khadija Shaw’s unintended absence to thrash Paris FC 5-0 in their season-opening Champions League qualifier.
City’s hopes of reaching the group stage for the first time in four seasons got off to a rocky start when it emerged that Shaw had not obtained the necessary visa to travel for the first leg – reportedly due to a late application – but things went more smoothly on the field.
Miedema, a huge summer signing from rivals Arsenal, took just 36 minutes to open her account for Gareth Taylor’s side and Park added a second two minutes later.
Mary Fowler continued the scoring after half-time, Park grabbed her second just before the hour mark and Chloe Kelly stepped off the bench to render the second leg moot.
That post-debut feeling! 😄🫶
🔵 0-5 🩵 #ManCity pic.twitter.com/wnNw0wdu3i
— Manchester City Women (@ManCityWomen) September 18, 2024
The PA news agency understands no further hiccups are expected when it comes to Shaw’s visa situation for away games and last year’s WSL player of the season will now begin her partnership with Miedema against the latter’s former club on Sunday.
City were slightly slow to get started, with a couple of loose touches allowing the lively Clara Mateo into the game. But Mateo was also short of sharpness, giving new City goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita an easy save early on before seeing Alex Greenwood shut down her second chance.
The opening half-hour was short on inspiration despite City looking comfortable but, once the deadlock was finally broken, City ran in two goals back-to-back.
Miedema had made little impression but seized her first opportunity, sniffing out Park’s pass and slamming home on the half-volley to begin her three-year deal in style.
💪 😁 💪
🔵 0-5 🩵 #ManCity pic.twitter.com/1HnH0LRH4J
— Manchester City Women (@ManCityWomen) September 18, 2024
Park went from creator to finisher moments later, popping up at close range from the corner of another debutant, Aoba Fujino, to double the lead. It could have been three before the break but Fujino only had herself to blame after being teed up in return by Miedema.
Taylor sniped a third four minutes after the restart, dispossessing goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and converting unchallenged, and Park was just as alert when Lauren Hemp’s effort was parried back into her path.
Miedema was among a handful of substitutions as Taylor shuffled his deck in the closing stages and one of the replacements, Kelly, completed the rout by latching on when Hemp’s shot cannoned off the post.
Next week’s return fixture can already be chalked up as a near formality, allowing the club to begin making plans for a full European campaign.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Amara Nallo Debut Bournemouth this season (LIV next) true 18 matches at once, it's just too much. Speed describing how Ronaldo smells like in his stream:"You could smell his aura. He smells like a GOAT." lol Juventus Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Just toon it, trollfootball, The Football Arena, AZR Organization)...
Manchester United have plenty of business to tie up before Monday’s transfer deadline, with Patrick Dorgu closing in on a move to Old Trafford. Marcus Rashford appears to be heading for the exit after facing the wrath of Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim, while Alejandro Garnacho could also be set to depart.Chelsea are in the mix for new signings and could rival Napoli for Garnacho. The Blues are...
Marcus Rashford could be at the center of a deadline-day transfer as Manchester United have made him available. Man Utd star Rashford could be set for a deadline day move as the window comes to a closeUnited are asking for £40M for Rashford but are also open to a loan deal, per The Sun. European clubs, including Barcelona, have shown interest, but his £325,000-a-week wages have been a si...
Chelsea’s pursuit of Alejandro Garnacho could be a last-minute scramble late into the winter window – but the club have a contingency plan in place should the Blues fail to secure a Manchester United winger before the transfer deadline, according to reports.The Argentine forward could still leave Old Trafford before February 3, when the window closes, with the club willing to sell him ...
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery said he does not want Ollie Watkins to leave the club amid interest from Arsenal, but said if Jhon Durán completes his move to Al Nassr then it is "good news" for the club as it shows they are doing the right things in terms of developing players.Emery was speaking after Aston Villa secured their spot in the knockout stages of the Champions League following a 4-...
Chelsea are reportedly close to signing a new striker, Mathys Tel, who has decided to leave Bayern Munich this month. The Blues have been linked with the Frenchman, while Bayern Munich is interested in Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku. This potential deal might lead Chelsea to abandon their pursuit of Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho. Tel's decision to leave Bayern has put Chelsea on high alert ...
Manchester City are nearing a £58.7 million deal for Andrea Cambiaso this week.The Juventus full-back ruled himself out of their crucial Champions League match against Benfica. City had a £54.5 million offer rejected, with Juventus demanding £75.5 million, per The Mirror.A compromise is expected this week after Juve coach Thiago Motta revealed Cambiaso cited an ankle injury for his ...
Chelsea forward Deivid Washington is set to join Santos on loan until the end of the season. He will link up with Neymar, who is rejoining Santos from Al-Hilal. Washington, 19, joined Chelsea from Santos in 2023 but has made just three senior appearances. The loan move aims to provide him with more playing time and experience. Neymar's return to Santos is highly anticipated, as he started his care...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Are you ok ? Ange Attacker of the big EPL team Jackson , Rasford Wednesday in the Champions League: 18 games. All at once. The THREE Pillars of Real Madrid's UCL 3PEAT! CLASS ACT! Lionel Messi is FC BARCELONA! Incredible achievement. Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Just toon it, BleacherReportFootball, AZR Orga...
Manchester City planned to continue their January transfer window spending spree.Pep Guardiola has not been afraid to spend this month.Manchester City's pursuit of Juventus defender Andrea Cambiaso is reportedly losing momentum, despite initial interest in the player. The reigning champions had a £54.5million offer rejected, with Juventus holding out for a higher fee of £75.5million.Howe...
- 1 Kerkez and £83m ace join as Salah signs
- 2 'exciting' Betis on signing Man Utd flop
- 3 Enzo 'trying to fix romance with childhood sweetheart'
- 4 Kyle Walker’s wife in talks with ITV for HUGE reality show
- 5 Ashley Cole, wife Sharon, Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy on luxury skiing holiday
- 6 Meet Jude Bellingham's new model WAG
- 7 Atletico Madrid in talks for Arsenal Zinchenko
- 8 Napoli confirm Garnacho interest
- 9 LaLiga ace Alex Berenguer & model wife ‘have gun pointed at them’
- 10 Transfer news and rumours LIVE