Gareth Taylor will not allow WSL title-favourites Man City to play it safe

LONDON: Gareth Taylor insists Chelsea’s loss at Liverpool has not changed Manchester City’s approach to their clash with Arsenal on Sunday (today).

Chelsea boss Emma Hayes said she regarded the Women’s Super League title race as over following her side’s 4-3 defeat to the Reds on Wednesday.

The result means City can afford to draw at home against Arsenal and still be in control of the title race when they travel to Aston Villa on the last day of the season, but Taylor will make his side aim for victory against the Gunners.

“It’s changed nothing,” the City boss said.

“There’s been a lot of talk around it. Our objective hasn’t changed – to win the next game. “We’ve kept that as our focus throughout the season. It’s never been about getting beyond ourselves, worrying too much about what’s happening elsewhere. Chelsea are still the champions. As it stands they have that title. We’re fighting to get it.

“I heard about the result, my phone was quite lively after it. For me it doesn’t change anything at all in our objective. It doesn’t make anything easier for us. People might see it that way, but it’s not. We still have to get results in our final two games, so it’s just remaining really focused on what we’re doing.

“Who goes into a game trying to draw? I don’t think anyone ever. So it’s about trying to continue our really good record of 14 wins (in a row in the league) – can we make that 15 and then after that can we make it 16? We have to fight to the end, and we will, there’s no doubt. “There’s so much more football to be played and we have to concentrate and focus on the next one.” Chelsea host relegated Bristol City on Sunday, then go to Tottenham on May 15 before playing Manchester United away on the final day of the season three days later.

Arsenal are third, with Champions League football guaranteed, but they are no longer in the title running and lie two points behind Chelsea with two games left.

United and Liverpool are level on points in fourth and fifth respectively ahead of their meeting on Sunday in what will be the Merseysiders’ final home game at Prenton Park before relocating to St Helens’ Totally Wicked Stadium.

On the battle for fourth, Liverpool boss Matt Beard told a press conference: “From our perspective, to be in that position with two games to go I think is great, it shows the real progress that we’ve made on the pitch this year.

“It’s a tough game. We just have to put in a performance like we did the other night and we’ll give ourselves a great chance.”

A week later United play Tottenham in the FA Cup final, and Beard added: “When you’ve got that type of game at Wembley, and a tough game the week before, that will put a bit of an element of doubt in players’ minds because they are not going to want to get injured. So hopefully we can take full advantage of that situation.” Sunday’s other WSL game sees West Ham host Leicester.