Manchester City ready for Women’s Super League title charge after Abu Dhabi prep

Manchester City captain Steph Houghton is hoping the team’s warm-weather training camp in Abu Dhabi can spur them to a first Women’s Super League title in almost a decade.

The 2016 champions, chasing only a second championship crown, have spent a week in the capital as they prepare for what appears a thrilling finale to the 2023/24 season.

City arrived in Abu Dhabi off the back of a huge victory at league leaders Chelsea on February 16. Gareth Taylor’s side triumphed 1-0 in the top-of-the-table clash to move level on points with the holders and, in the process, snap their 22-match unbeaten streak at home.

City are now second in the standings only on goals scored, as they seek to deny Chelsea a fifth successive title by claiming their first in eight seasons.

“The atmosphere has been building; you can feel it around the training centre,” Houghton told The National. “The girls have the confidence and the team's been playing well, so when you get that feeling, it's important to keep a hold of it.

“We've come off the back of some really tough games and to then go away to Chelsea and win was a massive result for us. The last time we won there was 2016, and that victory proved to be key for a really successful season for us.

“We're in a great position now, but we've still got a long way to go.”

Hugely experienced, Houghton will no doubt be key to City’s chances of pipping Chelsea to the title. The team has won their past eight league matches, and will surely be looking for a similar run as they enter the final eight games of the campaign upon their return from Abu Dhabi.

City are back in league action on Saturday, at home to Everton.

“I was speaking to [fellow defender] Demi [Stokes], and this has been one of the best teams