[Manchester City](https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com) put one foot into the [Champions League](https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league) semi-finals with a magnificent victory over Chelsea at the Joie Stadium. Vivianne Miedema struck twice in the second half as the Blues inflicted the first defeat of Sonia Bompastor’s reign and consigned the Londoners to a first loss since May 2024.
It was an impressive victory and just what was needed after the Blues suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the same opposition in the League Cup Final on Saturday.
That match was manager Nick Cushing’s first game in charge after taking over temporarily following the dismissal of Gareth Taylor. Cushing, perhaps, didn’t have much time to get to grips with the team for the final and fully understand Chelsea and Bompastor’s set-up.
But maybe that match was the one that allowed the interim boss to prepare for the all-important first leg on Wednesday night. It was just a pity it was a cup final that the Blues had to lose to allow Cushing to see the strengths. And any obvious weaknesses.
The former boss had not been involved in Women’s football since leaving the Blues in 2020 to join and eventually take over at New York City FC and has been out of management since November after being sacked by the club after two years as head coach.
But Cushing showed on Wednesday night that he has not lost any of his tactical prowess as his team took on an aggressive stance against the current, and likely next, WSL champions. It was a bold move to leave Miedema on the bench, but his substitution at half-time, bringing on the former Arsenal striker to replace teenager Lily Murphy, was just what City needed.
The Blues had dominated the champions and Miedema thumped home the opener after Aleixandri’s header was tipped onto the bar by Hannah Hampton to give City the lead. Chelsea had the ball in the back of the net themselves which was ruled out for offside and they also hit the bar as they tried to get back into the game. But Miedema’s second, a side-foot finish into the bottom corner after good work from Kerolin, put the tie firmly in City’s favour.
And it was manager Cushing who took the credit.
Former City midfielder Izzy Christiansen described the performance as a “tactical masterclass” from Cushing, who encouraged his side to hit Chelsea hard, press them and be aggressive. And it was a tactic that worked perfectly.
City never let go, a far cry from Taylor’s side who always looked capable of surrendering a lead to such opposition and would often crumble at some point. Under Taylor, City would likely have tried to hold onto a 1-0 lead and ended up either taking that to West London or conceding late on. But not under Cushing.
With former captain Steph Houghton by his side, Cushing urged the girls on to get a second goal and give the Blues a healthy lead to take to London next week. So when Miedema slotted home, Cushing, and the City faithful, will now be dreaming of another Champions League semi-final.
The Blues will welcome Chelsea back to the Joie Stadium for round three on Sunday and it will be interesting to see if the interim boss can inflict a first league defeat on Bompastor’s side and give the chasing pack hope.
The Blues may be out of the title race this season, but Cushing has already shown what is possible with good tactics and knowledge of how to handle a talented side. It is something Blues fans have dreamt of seeing for five years.