Gareth Taylor hailed his Manchester City players after they finally found top gear to reach the Vitality Women’s FA Cup semi-finals.
Major summer signing Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw notched a super hat-trick as the hosts struck all their six goals during a devastating second-half performance.
City have won the last two FA Cups but they have started this season slowly and lost 5-0 to Arsenal in the Barclay’s WSL on Sunday.
But after a nervous start they re-discovered their best form to comfortably see off Leicester.
“I spoke to the girls at half-time and challenged them to up the ante, and they definitely did that,” Taylor said.
“We just needed to be more exciting I thought, but then to get the first goal after just 40 seconds in the second half gave us that impetus.
“Anxiety levels can be raised when you’re not scoring, and Leicester did make it difficult for us, but for us to put in that type of performance in the second half was top class.
“The whole team handled the game so well. We put in a good performance in the end, we scored some brilliant goals, and this will give us a bit of confidence.
“It was great for Bunny to get her hat-trick too.
“She’s got great quality and we’re all pleased for her. We're going to need everyone chipping in this season."
It took the current Cup holders a little while to find their rhythm against last season’s Championship winners.
In fact it was Leicester’s former Manchester United striker Jess Sigsworth who had the first chance when she fired inches over the top from 20 yards.
City found their range after the break when Shaw broke the deadlock, while Vicky Losada, Alex Greenwood and Filippa Angeldal also scored as City reached the last four, where they will face Chelsea.
Taylor knows their confidence will take time to rebuild and the fact they play the Blues at home in the last four could make all the difference.
“We’re just pleased to have a home draw – that’s the first bit of good fortune we’ve had in a few weeks,” he said.
“We’re taking this competition very seriously, and if you’re going to do well in it you’ve got to beat whoever is in front of you.”
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