London City lose 2-1 to Manchester City at Hayes Lane but European questions remain
London City lost 2-1 to defending champions Manchester City at Hayes Lane on Sunday in a WSL match, with Manchester City goals from Khadija Shaw and Lauren Hemp deciding the game.
The result highlighted how rapidly London City Lionesses have advanced: the club were playing second-tier football 18 months ago and this summer signed three-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, who showcased her third Ballon d'Or before kick-off. Backed by US billionaire Michele Kang, the independent club have spent heavily in the transfer window, agreed a record-breaking Nike shirt deal believed to be worth more than £3m a year and built a training facility in Kent.
London City controlled much of the match but were unable to convert chances, finishing with 24 shots and only six on target; Manchester City capitalised on two key moments and held on to win 2-1 and continue setting the pace at the top. The visiting goals came despite London City looking the better team for most of the afternoon as Manchester City “dug in to win 2-1 and to continue setting the pace at the top,” the report noted.
Manager Eder Maestre said the performances are already at the level they want but that the result did not reflect that, adding: "That's why it's a very frustrating situation. We were speaking a lot about respecting the identity and it doesn't matter the team that we were facing." He continued: "The next step in that project was showing everybody that we can perform, while respecting that identity that we are trying to build on. That's why it's doubly frustrating, because I think the result was not the one we deserve. Manchester City are more mature. They are more used to it. When you have this consistency and you are very used to playing these kinds of games, maybe you have more experience. That's why we have extra nervousness in the moments that we need to be more clinical."
Manchester City manager Andree Jeglertz praised London City while stressing the importance of season-long consistency, saying: "They are a very good team and they really showed the highest level. What it means to be at the top of this league, is playing week after week, and at the same level - and finding different levels to win. That is what we have created. That's what everybody who wants to win something needs to be able to do. To contest, you need to compete for the whole season." The report added that "moments of brilliance by world-class players Shaw and Hemp delivered the goods" for City.
Off the pitch, London City's rapid rise raises a regulatory question: current Uefa rules state that owners cannot have two clubs competing in the same competition, meaning one of Kang's Lyon or London City Lionesses would miss out if both qualified for the Champions League. London City's chief executive Martin Semmens said: "First of all, what we feel is important, is to be part of the conversation. The next stage is getting towards trophies. Our ambition is to be in Europe, to play in Europe every year, and to compete with the likes of Barcelona and Arsenal. We're probably one step behind that in squad development and all the other things we have to do. But on our day, we feel we can beat them."
Semmens addressed the ownership issue directly, adding: "I think Michele [Kang] has a really clear view and that is that she wants to see as much investment come into the women's game as possible. The men's multi-club ownership rules is about being careful not to have control over two clubs. We see it differently on the women's side. We want to see more investment, so we believe if you invest in more than one club, the game will accelerate faster. We truly understand and respect the rules, always. But there are logical, structured ways that we can compete in Europe next season."
