It was a bold move from City to replace Gareth Taylor with former boss Cushing in the week of a cup final but, after Wednesday’s Champions League victory, it seemed inspired.
Cushing won the WSL, Women’s FA Cup and three League Cups in seven years at City before leaving in 2020 for MLS side New York City FC.
And he has made an instant impact on his return, with his side dominating possession for large parts in all three games and looking solid defensively.
They have also impressed going forward – a major achievement considering top scorer Khadija Shaw and key winger Aoba Fujino have been sidelined by injury.
Former City midfielder Izzy Christiansen described ‘game two’ as a “tactical masterclass” from Cushing, with his substitutes after half-time – including Miedema – making the difference.
But it was Bompastor’s changes, and perhaps a motivational team talk, that saw them show up in the second half on Sunday to wipe out City’s one-goal lead.
Brown-Finnis said: “They changed their tactical approach and moved Wieke Kaptein higher up, and then the players that came off the bench just showed the depth they have.”
Bompastor said she reminded her players of the gameplan, adding: “I told them I want to see more belief going into the second half.”
City’s efforts weren’t helped by an injury to influential midfielder Yui Hasegawa, while Spain defender Leila Ouahabi started on the bench and keeper Ayaka Yamashita was replaced by Khiara Keating in the line-up with a problem expected to keep her out for a few weeks.
Midfielder Laura Blindkilde Brown was also added to the list of long-term absentees, watching from the sidelines on crutches after an injury in training earlier this week, while keeper Aya
“I think you saw one team that was bringing their key players on, and one team that was having to take their key players off,” reflected Cushing.
