England coach Phil Neville did not hold back in his praise for Nikita Parris after the forward was named player-of-the-match in her side’s 2-1 win over Scotland in the Women’s World Cup on Sunday.
The 25-year-old scored England’s opener from the penalty spot and tormented the Scottish defence from the right flank as the Lionesses got their campaign off to an ideal start.
“Nikita is the example of the work that England have done, that Manchester City have done, and what Nikita herself has applied over the last 16 months,” said Neville, who became coach in early 2018.
Parris looks ready to make a big impact at the competition after her prolific form in the Women’s Super League (WSL) for City secured a move to Champions League winner Lyon.
“We have seen a player develop from being a really, really good WSL player, to signing for the best team in the world in Lyon, scoring goals in the WSL, making an impact in the big games on the big occasions,” said Neville.
“She is someone that has still got another five or 10% left in her,” he added as he called the forward from Liverpool “a special player”.
One highlight of Parris’s display came when she nutmegged Scotland defender Nicola Docherty in her own half.
It was a difficult day for Docherty, whose handball gave Parris the chance to open the scoring before Ellen White made it 2-0. Claire Emslie got a goal back, but England held on despite the rocky finish.
