Bristol City Women’s Yana Daniels believes her side keeping a clean sheet was just as crucial as the goals scored in their 3-0 win against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League.
The Robins got off to a flying start when Daniels found the back of the net with just three minutes on the clock.
Ebony Salmon scored two further goals, while Albion went down to ten players when Kayleigh Green was sent off with just over 20 minutes remaining, with a comfortable finish taking City to their first win of the season.
Before the game, Matt Beard’s side were five points adrift of Aston Villa but they’ve closed the gap to two points and Daniels stressed the importance of the defensive shutout.
“It’s so important to get the win,” Daniels said. “It’s a weight off of our shoulders – it’s been a while! We’ve won in cup games but league games are different and this win was important for us.
“I think the goals will give us a lot of confidence, but the fact we kept a clean sheet is so important for us as well.
“If we don’t score and we keep a clean sheet, then it’s always a point and every point is important for us. The goals are great, but the clean sheet is the same feeling for me.”
Daniels’ opener was a stunner, collecting possession from 25 yards out and powering a shot towards goal, clipping the underside of the bar on the way in.
And the Belgian striker revealed it was part of City's game plan to try their luck against Brighton keeper Cecilie Fiskerstrand.
She added: “I was happy when it went in. We spoke before the game that sometimes the keeper is far off her line, so if you have a chance then just take a shot.
“My dad always says if you don’t shoot, you don’t score and I was thinking about it lately because I haven’t scored for a while and I took it and it went in luckily.”
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