Bardsley gets hands on cup after shoot-out
CITY Women won the Continental Cup for a third time as they beat Arsenal Women 4-2 on penalties at Bramall Lane following a 0-0 draw.
Karen Bardsley saved Danielle van de Donk’s spot-kick before successful efforts from captain Steph Houghton and substitute Janine Beckie as Nick Cushing’s side gained revenge for their 1-0 loss to the Gunners in last season’s final at Adams Park.
City - who are two points clear of second-placed Arsenal in the Women’s Super League having played two games more - had hit the bar twice before the match went into extra-time, through Nikita Parris and Beckie.
And Houghton was full of praise for her keeper Bardsley. She said: “When it comes to penalties, or the big moments, KB shows why she’s so world-class.
“We’ve played together for the last five years and longer at international level and you feel safe as a defender.”
And hero Bardsley said she just used her instincts in the shoot-out.
“I just wanted to put the game to bed,” she said.
“You take the opportunities when you get them and you try to see if there’s any cues the opposition gives you but more important is focusing on your own process, trusting your instincts and being decisive.
“There’s no pressure on a goalkeeper in a penalty shoot-out. So it’s a nice opportunity for us to have some fun.”