Manchester City 2-0 FC Barcelona – Bunny Shaw on target as Man City stun European champions Barcelona

Manchester City sent a clear message to their UEFA Women’s Champions’ League rivals by beating Barcelona and ending the Spanish giant’s unbeaten run.

Young defender Naomi Layzell scored her first goal in senior football to put City into a surprise lead before Khadija Shaw settled any nerves with a second 13 minutes from time.

Barcelona are running riot in Primera Division and were on a winning run of 15 matches – dating back to April.

However, they came up against a defiant City side who in front of a sold-out Joie Stadium in Manchester battled from the first to the 96th minute.

Barcelona, three times Women’s Champions’ League winners, had scored 18 goals in two league matches coming into the tie and Caroline Graham Hansen hit the post early on.

However, City were in determined form and deserved their 38th minute opener as Vivianne Miedema headed back across goal for Layzell.

Despite throwing players forward in search of an equaliser the visitors rarely troubled City goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita.

The hosts were out of sight before the final onslaught as Layzell capped a star performance by sending Shaw clear to round the goalkeeper and score.

City sit joint top of Group D following the opening game and head to Austrian side St.Polten next week full of confidence.

The seemingly unbeatable Barcelona side came to Manchester in a buoyant mood after dominating the early stages of Primera Division.

However, City coach Gareth Taylor had his own masterplan and a growing squad of players who looked the part against the reigning champions.

There was a togetherness in the City side and energy from the first minute until the last. Target striker Khadija Shaw caused the visitors’ defence all manner of problems with her power and her team-mates gratefully capitalised on second balls throughout the game.