Even when the party’s national anthem exploded under the sunny Manchester sky, home fans expressed appreciation after seven goals thriller, the celebrations couldn’t completely cover up the disappointment of Joey Stadium as a club wondered what would happen.

On the final day of the season, Manchester City missed the title only because of the goal difference. This time, they scored 17 points in the out-of-control champion Chelsea. Worse, Manchester City fell to Europe.

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This is the third time in WSL that the city has surpassed the top three with 11 years. Not to get it wrong - this season is a failure for a club with higher expectations and, more worrying, they have no trophy for the third time in a row.

City fell 11 points from the winning position and missed a point in Europe to be the last Gasp equalizer to be admitted in West Ham in March. There may be little debate about the cause of its depression: injury.

City won 10 straight wins in all matches from late September to mid-November, when most of their preferred players were well suited, including a victory over European champion Barcelona, ​​which demonstrated the strength of the city.

However, Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood suffered a long knee injury, as well as an off-field spell at Khadija Shaw - despite playing only 14 of 22 league games, he ended up sharing the WSL's golden boots, while Vivianne Miedema received a huge fee. Mary Fowler's ACL injury only added to their plight. Their competitors were injured, and it was admirable that Chelsea took action with Sam Kerr throughout the season - but Manchester City's injury losses cost them a heavy price.

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"There will be a review process, a reflection process for the organization and the people involved," said Manchester City interim head coach Nick Cushing. "There are a lot of things to be solved, but I'm sure this process will happen. I don't know how it will happen, when it will happen or who will be involved, but there is a huge desire among the staff, leadership and players to get this team back to compete (for) the trophy."

Related: Arsenal WSL runner-up after 4-3 victory against Manchester United strike

Cushing returned to the club in March after Gareth Taylor's sack and said on Friday that the club had "no conversation" with him next season. Therefore, he believes Saturday’s match will be his last match, although he will continue to compete in the first World Seven football match in Portugal later this month.

Asked about the future on Saturday again, Cushing added: “I signed until June 1, so once June 1 comes, I will go back to December of February and I will put the trash out. I have a huge desire to have a team and develop a team and compete for the trophy in a real offensive style.

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The club's search for new coaches will end soon. Manchester City's managing director Charlotte O'Neill and women's football director Therese Sjogrann made a huge decision as the club sought a response to Chelsea's dominance over England's women's game.

There is no doubt that this city team has potential. They dropped from halftime in the game against relegation of Crystal Palace on Saturday, scoring a second half goal inspired by Aoba Fujino.

Manchester City also has the best winger in the marijuana department, and despite less than half of the league games, he finished the campaign with the most assists in the WSL.

They will now have to replace Laia Aleixandri, a talented centre-back who bids goodbye to City after the final whistle. It is understood that she is heading to Barcelona. Will definitely invest in summer on busy teams. To challenge Chelsea and Arsenal in depth, the city will need it.