Layzell was playing for Bristol City last season, trying to help them retain their place in the Women’s Super League, as well as experiencing her first senior England training camps.
Her move to Manchester City was a big one but she would not have expected to start against Barcelona in the Champions League, going up against world-class stars Putellas and Aitana Bonmati.
So when she found herself on the floor in the six-yard area, poking in City’s opener before half-time, it was a moment that no doubt stunned herself as much as it did everyone else in the stadium.
Fans were on their feet as City’s players surrounded Layzell and celebrated in a huddle just a few yards in front of Barcelona’s goalline.
“To do that, scoring and assisting when she was playing out of position against Barcelona, is unbelievable.
That capped off an exhilarating opening half that saw numerous chances at both ends.
Barcelona should have scored when Vivianne Miedema’s poor pass back to goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita was intercepted by Pajor, only for City defender Aleixandri to clear the ball off the line.
At the other end, City’s Shaw and Hemp were a constant threat, while Jess Park was busy and impressive in midfield.
Back-to-back European champions Barcelona picked up the intensity in the second half and goalkeeper Yamashita was tested further, needing to keep out efforts from Bonmati and England midfielder Keira Walsh, returning to former club Manchester City for the first time.
Substitute Claudia Pina curled a shot inches wide, while another strike from Bonmati was deflected dangerously towards Yamashita’s goal but she tipped it over the crossbar.
City’s resilience was tested but they responded in superb fashion, with Layzell once again playing a vital role as she found Shaw’s perfectly-timed run with a pass in behind which last season’s WSL top goalscorer collected, before rounding goalkeeper Coll and sliding in the decisive goal.
It would have been the perfect evening for Layzell but it was cut minutes short when she limped off in stoppage time with an ankle injury.
Boss Taylor is hopeful Layzell’s injury is not as bad as first feared.
“It was a weird action if I’m honest,” he said after the game. “My first instinct was ‘I hope that’s not her Achilles’, but she seems kind of OK and is presenting something more like a rolled ankle.
“At the moment our physios are pretty positive.”
The 5,508 fans in attendance – a record crowd at Joie Stadium – were left with no doubts that City are capable of going far in this competition.
It was just the second time in their past 80 matches Barca failed to score. The other occasion was in their semi-final first leg defeat by Chelsea last season.
