‘A few expletives!’ - How X-rated speech from former Lionesses star Steph Houghton kept Man City in the hunt for WSL title glory

Gareth Taylor’s side find themselves at the summit with just two fixtures – against Arsenal and Aston Villa – left to take in. They are six points clear of defending champions Chelsea, who have two games in hand, while boasting a superior goal difference.

City kept themselves in control of that thrilling race by overcoming Bristol City in their latest outing, but only after the half-time interval of that contest was reached with the tie locked at 0-0. Former Lionesses star Houghton, who will be retiring at the end of the season, stepped up in a time of need to deliver a rousing, if somewhat colourful, rallying cry.

Taylor has told City’s official website of seeing his captain lift those around her: “The influence of Steph, the way she spoke to the players and the way she drove that performance in the second half made my job so much easier. Huge credit to her because that’s not an easy job. She’s really there for the team and that’s what I really like about this group, everyone works so hard for each other.”

He added when pressed on what Houghton said: “A few expletives. But it was more around this opportunity that we’ve got and we’re not going to come here and blow it. Blow it by being flat and not ourselves and maybe not showing the right energy. She just captures it at the right time with the right words. And the players really respond to her. She’s always first there in the team talk, the last one to speak to the players before they go onto the pitch. She’s been amazing in that sense. Her role in this team has changed of course but she’s done it amazingly well.”

City ended up beating Bristol City 4-0, even without top scorer Bunny Shaw at their disposal, and are now daring to dream of capturing a first WSL title since 2016.