Taylor praises Keating’s ‘excellent’ performance as Man City eliminates Arsenal from FA Cup
Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor has praised goalkeeper Khiara Keating for her outstanding performance in their 1-0 victory over Arsenal in the fifth round of the FA Cup. Despite facing jeers from the opposition fans, Keating stood firm and kept a clean sheet, helping her team secure the win and advance to the quarter-finals. This was her fourth consecutive clean sheet since the end of January, contributing to City’s unbeaten run of 12 games since November.
Redemption for Keating
The result against Arsenal came three months after an error from Keating led to their defeat in the Women’s Super League. This time, however, she had the last laugh, with her shot-stopping heroics playing a crucial role in ending Arsenal’s hopes of progressing in the FA Cup. Taylor described it as redemption for Keating and commended her for her preparation and mental strength. He also highlighted her ability to handle the verbal abuse from the crowd, stating that it showed she was doing something right.
Impressive saves and national recognition
Keating made some impressive saves late in the game, including a stunning stop in the top corner, denying Arsenal’s attempts to equalize. Her performance caught the attention of England Women’s national team coach Sarina Wiegman, who was present at the match. Keating’s clean sheet and win were a testament to her growth as a young player, as Taylor emphasized the importance of learning from mistakes and reacting positively.
A tight game and missed opportunities
The match itself was closely contested, with both teams struggling to find a breakthrough in the early stages. Arsenal’s Caitlin Foord came close to scoring in the 13th minute, but Keating made a crucial save. City also had their chances, with pleas for a penalty waved away and a header from Khadija Shaw being saved by Arsenal’s goalkeeper. The deadlock was finally broken in the 75th minute when Laia Aleixandri scored from Chloe Kelly’s free-kick.
Arsenal’s disappointment and future ambitions
The loss to Manchester City marked Arsenal’s second consecutive defeat across all competitions. Gunners boss Jonas Eidevall expressed his disappointment, stating that his team was on the wrong side of every margin in the game. Despite this setback, Eidevall remains determined to compete for silverware this season, with Arsenal set to face London City Lionesses in the quarter-finals of the league cup. He emphasized the club’s ambition to win trophies and acknowledged the hard work required to achieve success.
Looking ahead
Manchester City’s victory over Arsenal not only secured their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals but also highlighted the growth and resilience of young goalkeeper Khiara Keating. Her exceptional performance earned praise from her manager and caught the attention of national team scouts. As for Arsenal, they will now shift their focus to the league cup as they aim to compete in every competition and end their trophy drought.