London City Lionesses are a club who do things differently and, backed by US billionaire Michele Kang, they are not shy to disrupt the current order.

They are an independent women's football club who have spent big in the transfer window and agreed a record-breaking shirt deal with Nike believed to be worth more than £3m a year.

They have built their own training facility in Kent and persuaded superstars such as Alexia Putellas to join in the summer.

Spain international Putellas showcased her latest Ballon d'Or trophy - the third of her career - before kick-off on Sunday.

London City Lionesses are clearly no minnows, but even a squad full of superstars needs time to gel.

It was for this reason that people doubted whether they were ready this season to qualify for the Champions League and break the WSL's traditional top three.

But on Sunday's showing, they are not as far off as people thought.

Manager Eder Maestre said the team's performances are already at the level they want but results have not always shown that and they still have work to do.

"That's why it's a very frustrating situation. We were speaking a lot about respecting the identity and it doesn't matter the team that we were facing," the Spaniard said.

"The next step in that project was showing everybody that we can perform, while respecting that identity that we are trying to build on.

"That's why it's doubly frustrating, because I think the result was not the one we deserve. Manchester City are more mature.

"They are more used to it. When you have this consistency and you are very used to playing these kinds of games, maybe you have more experience.

"That's why we have extra nervousness in the moments that we need to be more clinical."

Where London City fell was where Manchester City stood tall.

Moments of brilliance by world-class players Shaw and Hemp delivered the goods and when London City's pressure grew, so too did Manchester City's resilience.

It is that consistency across 90 minutes, and the season as a whole, that Manchester City manager Andree Jeglertz believes will demonstrate the difference.

"They are a very good team and they really showed the highest level," said Jeglertz.

"What it means to be at the top of this league, is playing week after week, and at the same level - and finding different levels to win.

"That is what we have created. That's what everybody who wants to win something needs to be able to do. To contest, you need to compete for the whole season."