Man City women player ratings vs Paris FC: Vivianne Miedema has her first Cityzens goal but Lionesses star Jess Park steals the show in Champions League thrashing

Manchester City are on the brink of returning to the Women’s Champions League proper for the first time in three years after Vivianne Miedema’s first goal for the club set them on their way to a 5-0 win at Paris FC on Wednesday. After losing to Real Madrid in qualifying in back-to-back seasons, Gareth Taylor’s side didn’t even get a berth for the preliminary stages of last year’s competition, owing to a disappointing fourth-placed finish in the Women’s Super League. However, the wait is almost over, with the second leg of this qualifying tie next Thursday only a formality after City’s ruthless performance in the French capital.

Miedema’s stylish finish sparked the game into life, after the most notable incident of the first 35 minutes had been a teasing cross from Lionesses star Jess Park which concerned City’s hosts but didn’t hurt them. Once the Dutch forward had squeezed her improvised volley underneath opposing goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie though, the floodgates threatened to open. Aoba Fujino saw a superb effort tipped onto the bar seconds later and then, within a minute, Park had made it two, a gorgeous one-touch move involving herself, Mary Fowler and Lauren Hemp ending with the latter putting her England team-mate through on goal with a backheeled pass. From close range, Park made no mistake.

Fujino could have added another before half-time, only to find Nnadozie in her way from six yards, but Paris FC did little to make City rue that missed opportunity. Two minutes after the break, Fowler’s high press paid dividends when she tackled Nnadozie in her own six-yard box and prodded the ball into an empty net, then Park got her second of the day from close range before the hour. Chloe Kelly rounded off the scoring as a second half substitute, meaning Man City are on the brink of the Champions League group stages.

GOAL rates Man City’s players from the Estadio Charlety…

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Ayaka Yamashita (6/10):

  Superb in possession and made a great save to deny Mateo when called upon for the first time deep into the second half.

  Kerstin Casparij (6/10):

  Worked hard up and down the right all evening.

  Laia Aleixandri (7/10):

  Patient on the ball, threading some passes into the final third.

  Alex Greenwood (6/10):

  Made a few timely interventions at vital moments in her own box, though did have some lapses in the second half.

  Leila Ouahabi (7/10):

  Got forward relentlessly to support the attack but did her defensive duties well, too.

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    Midfield

    Yui Hasegawa (8/10):

    A typically classy display that made City tick in attack, while her ability to break up play helped keep the opponent at arm’s length in defence.

    Jess Park (9/10):

    Was a constant livewire and always looked likely to hurt Paris FC, as she did by scoring two goals and creating many more chances.

    Vivianne Miedema (7/10):

    Things didn’t always come off but she was constantly trying to make them happen. Improvised brilliantly to break the deadlock.

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      Attack

      Aoba Fujino (7/10):

      Asked questions of the Paris FC defence and goalkeeper, just couldn’t get the goal she was after. Set piece deliveries were great.

      Mary Fowler (7/10):

      The No.9 role doesn’t get the best out of her game but she worked hard in it, played a strong part in the build-up to Park’s superb strike and got a goal her effort deserved.

      Lauren Hemp (8/10):

      Pressed relentlessly and caused problems from both flanks. Wonderful backheel to tee up Park and it was her run and shot that led to Kelly’s goal, too.

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      Subs & Manager

      Chloe Kelly (N/A):

      In the right place at the right time to get on the scoresheet in her cameo from the bench.

      Laura Blindkilde Brown (N/A):

      Helped her team see the game out in the final 15 minutes.

      Laura Coombs (N/A):

      Made her return from injury in the final stages.

      Lily Murphy (N/A):

      Granted a Champions League debut late on.

      Alanna Kennedy (N/A):

      City’s fifth and final sub in the closing minutes.

      Gareth Taylor (8/10):

      Midfield could’ve lacked steel with two playmakers in Park and Miedema there, but the risk paid dividends. After a slow start, his team really grew into the game and looked formidable once ahead.