Chelsea at Man City, WSL preview: critical road matchup

Chelsea star Maren Mjelde’s penalty against Gareth Taylor’s side earlier in the season put Manchester City’s hopes of a comeback out of reach

The first meeting this season for these two sides came all the way back in late September. The west Londoners were coming off of a shock defeat to Liverpool on the road to open the season. Coming back to Kingsmeadow, the Blues had something to prove. Despite the quality and strength Khadija “Bunny” Shaw up top, City came up short as a Fran Kirby goal followed by a Maren Mjelde penalty were enough to propel the home side to all three points.

Just like in September, the Jamaican international Shaw is going to be the focal point in everything the opposition do. Her 15 league goals so far this season are four more than any other player in the English top-flight heading into the end of March. She has accumulated a jaw-dropping nine goals in the last four contests in all competitions. That is two hat-tricks in four games for a striker that deserves to be playing Champions League football.

Last time out against the Blues, she completed two take ons, and took four shots while out muscling nearly the entire CFC backline during her 83 minutes on the pitch. The way the back four of Hayes’ team attacks Shaw is going to be the difference in the game. Knowing where she is at all times is paramount.