TAYL OF WOE AS TITLE RACE HAS ANOTHER TWIST

GARETH TAYLOR insisted that Manchester City “will be fine” after a dramatic 2-1 loss to Arsenal left City’s Women’s Super League title hopes in the balance with one game remaining.

Arsenal forward Stina Blackstenius’s last-gasp double sealed a spectacular capitulation by City, who surged into an early lead courtesy of a sublime strike from Lioness Lauren Hemp.

But a scintillating second-half display was rewarded with two late goals in four minutes from the Swedish striker (inset) to turn the WSL title race on its head.

“We’ve always reacted well from negative results,” said Taylor.

“I thought it was tough on us today, a draw was probably a fair result.

“That result is tough on the girls, you’re holding on and you can be at your most vulnerable. That’s football, it can happen. The girls will be fine. We wanted to be in control.

“We’ve lost a little bit of that but we still have one more game and we look forward to that.”

The result arrived just days after Chelsea boss Emma Hayes all but threw the towel in on a fifth league title on the bounce following her side’s chaotic 4-3 loss to Liverpool in midweek.

But the title may be back in Hayes’ grasp after Chelsea’s thrashing of Bristol City. Guro Reiten (above, with Millie Bright) scored four as the Blues won 8-0 on Hayes’ final home game in charge. Aggie Beever-Jones scored twice with Sjoeke Nusken and Niamh Charles also on target. Chelsea have a game in hand on City and could feasibly drag the title race down to goal difference on the final day if results go their way.

“I’ve always thought the title will go to the final day,” added Taylor. “We have an opportunity at [Aston] Villa, win the game first and hope it’s enough. [Chelsea] opened the door on Wednesday, we’ve opened the door today.”