Manchester City’s impressive 27-game unbeaten streak at home came crashing down on Sunday afternoon in a 1-0 loss to Brighton and Hove Albion.
Former Citizen Lee Geum-min slid the ball in at the back post with 10 minutes left on the clock leaving City unable to find the reply. It was not for lack of trying - the hosts had 35 shots including 13 on target but were denied by the woodwork on several occasions and lacked that ruthless edge in the final third mixed with the ninja-like saves from ’keeper Sophie Baggaley.
It was a historic event at the Joie stadium being Brighton’s first win over the Citizens in top-tier history but boss Gareth Taylor urged his squad to put frustration aside: “Sometimes it’s just not your day no matter how much you knock on the door it doesn’t go for you.
"I’m just disappointed in how we played and dealt within those moments. We were just off the pace, half a yard too heavy or short, all those bits. It wasn’t our normal clicking game modes today.
“It’s so difficult, everyone thinks and expects us to win and of course we do, but it’s difficult. If you don't take your chances and aren't tight at the back it can happen to anyone.
“It’s not a nice feeling, you want to win and our proud home record has gone, but we need to regroup and go again.”
Taylor is always proud of how his team bounce back and regroup so fast after a difficult loss or sketchy performance, and will need to do so quickly should they have a chance to hurt an on-form Manchester United on Sunday, November 19.
“Any game is good to bounce back from. It’s the perfect game for us [against Manchester United],” added Taylor.
The narrow defeat at the Joie Stadium sees City drop down into sixth place in the Women's Super League standings while the three points help Brighton crawl up to eighth. Taylor's side have Liverpool, Tottenham, United, Arsenal and Chelsea ahead of them in the table. The Blues leading the way with six points more than sixth place City.