Manchester City star makes title promise and lifts lid on Euros dream

As Manchester City left-back Leila Ouahabi drilled an inviting cross into the 18-yard-box, there was only one thought in Jess Park’s mind: “Keep it down”.

Fortunately for the 22-year-old, she managed to do exactly that, poking the ball past Mary Earps to give Gareth Taylor’s side the lead against Manchester United at the Etihad last month. It was Park’s first Women’s Super League (WSL) goal of the season and, for the lifelong City fan, it could scarcely have come at a better time.

“It was an incredible feeling,” she tells the MEN, smiling at the memory. “I remember when the ball came in I was just thinking: ‘don’t smash it over the bar’. Thankfully it hit the back of the net and, wow, it was just unbelievable.

“I played in the Merseyside derby with Everton last season and that was incredible but being able to do it for a team that I’ve supported since I was little, at the stadium I’ve always wanted to play at, that’s just that little bit extra special.

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“I can’t really put it into words. It was an incredible game for me personally and for the team.”

And how crucial that win could prove to be at the end of the season as City battle to match reigning WSL champions Chelsea stride-for-stride in the title race. With Emma Hayes’ side bidding to give their totemic manager a fairytale ending before she leaves to become manager of the US Women’s national team this summer, there is little margin for error.

But City have shown this term they are up for the challenge, sweeping teams aside on a weekly basis, and the Blues are fully focused on yielding