The Dutch forward scored a vital goal late on as the visitors claimed three points
Vivianne Miedema stepped off the bench to help Manchester City to a battling 2-1 Women's Super League win at Brighton as they responded positively to a tough week.
After enduring back-to-back defeats against Chelsea – seeing precious domestic points and a Champions League semi-final berth slip through their grasp – City needed to bounce back when taking in a long trip to the south coast.
They were troubled at times by Brighton’s high press, which was led by Lionesses Fran Kirby and Nikita Parris, while chances were initially hard to come by for both teams as a lack of creativity left goalkeepers at either end relatively untroubled.
A breakthrough was, however, made in the 37th minute when Mary Fowler drilled over a low cross from the left and Kerstin Casparij was left with the simplest of tasks as she bundled home from close range – registering her first WSL goal in the process.
City survived plenty of scares before Miedema doubled their lead in the final minute of the 90, with the top corner picked out after seeing the ball drop her way eight yards out. There was still time for the Seagulls to snatch a lifeline as Charlize Rule turned in a smart spinning finish, but the Blues held on to keep their European qualification dreams alive.
GOAL rates Manchester City's players from the Broadfield Stadium…
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Khiara Keating (7/10):
Has been in decent WSL form and maintained those standards by being alert to danger in and around her penalty area, while also producing the odd smart stop.
Laura Wienroither (6/10):
Pushed forward from full-back too often and too far at times, leaving huge gaps in behind that Brighton tried to exploit.
Naomi Layzell (6/10):
Not entirely convincing or authoritative when balls were fed into the box, especially in the air, but did enough to frustrate the hosts.
Leila Ouahabi (6/10):
Took a painful blow to the face inside the opening 60 seconds, with the Spanish defender then being troubled by pace on Brighton’s flanks.
Gracie Prior (6/10):
City lacked organisation across their defensive unit at times, as they allowed big gaps to open up, but the Seagulls could not take advantage often enough.
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Kerstin Casparij (7/10):
Will remember the game for scoring her first goal in the WSL, with it almost impossible to miss when seeing the ball roll her way.
Jess Park (6/10):
Always full of running and did her best to get City going on the front foot, but did fire in a few crosses from far too deep and most of her deliveries lacked accuracy.
Yui Hasegawa (6/10):
Filled her usual holding role and made a point of making life difficult for Brighton in the middle of the park, with some important blocks being put in.
Laura Coombs (6/10):
Picked up a yellow card and never really got into the game, with City needing more from her when facing stubborn opposition.
Lily Murphy (6/10):
Another of those that failed to sparkle and could have few complaints at being replaced midway through the second half as City sought a spark.
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Mary Fowler (6/10):
Isolated at times, while leading the line by herself, but did provide the assist for the opening goal of the game when finding a yard of space and a clever pass across to Casparij.
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Vivianne Miedema (7/10):
Wrapped up the points late on with the kind of finish that she has become famed for, with the Dutch forward rarely flustered when presented with a sight of goal.
Jill Roord (6/10):
City were pushed back, rather than coming out of their shell, after making changes after the break – with victory having to be ground out.
Kerolin (6/10):
Few sights of goal and took too long to decide what to do with her best, as she drifted across the edge of the box without firing in a shot, but a quick burst did help to create the chance that Miedema took.
Nick Cushing (6/10):
Shuffled his pack and would have expected more from his starting XI, with the overall level not improving greatly when changes were made.