Photo: Manchester City
Iman Beney, a name already familiar to the Swiss faithful, sent shockwaves through the WSL this week as her first Manchester City goal turned out to be a crucial last-minute winner against Arsenal.
Beney is already famed in her home country, scoring the winning penalty to secure BSC Young Boys Frauen their league title last season and securing herself a place in the team of the year. The sky is well and truly the limit for the young superstar.
Many in the WSL may not have known her name, but they well and truly do now, as she stole the headlines in what turned out to be an absolute peach of a game between Manchester City and Arsenal on a cold and soggy Saturday afternoon at the Joie Stadium.
Beney had already impressed on her home debut, securing herself Manchester City’s player of the match award in a tense game against Brighton. Her quick and tricky plays down the wing earned her the award, much to the delight of the Citizens faithful.
However, it was the Arsenal game that really put her in the headlines. Entering the fray at 59 minutes with her side locked at 1-1, Beney came on with a point to prove. City got themselves back in front when a misjudged corner was scrambled home by Kerstin Casparij. However, City were haunted by former player Chloe Kelly, whose curled effort sailed into the top right corner; her goal and celebration didn’t faze the Citizens, as they were quick to respond.
Within five minutes of the goal, Aoba Fujino played an inch-perfect pass over to Bunny Shaw on the right-hand side, whose impeccable touch and flick over the defender left her pass falling to the feet of the Swiss teenager.
With the Joie Stadium holding their breath, Iman brought the ball down and calmly rolled the ball into the back of the net, sparking wild celebrations and sending Manchester City within a point of Chelsea in second place. Well and truly announcing herself to the WSL and English football stage as the next big talent!