Shaw hat-trick lifts Man City up to second in WSL

Khadija Shaw boosted Manchester City’s Women’s Super League title bid with a hat-trick as they came from behind to beat struggling Tottenham Hotspur.

Shaw equalised with a header before half-time, made it 2-1 with a penalty and struck late to seal victory that lifted City up to second place.

The win is boss Gareth Taylor’s 73rd in 100 games in charge of the club.

City have won more games (10) and more points (32) since the beginning of October than any other Women’s Super League side.

They sought a fast start here, Shaw flashing across the face of goal, Lauren Hemp dragging wide and Chloe Kelly almost finding the bottom corner.

In contrast, struggling Spurs arrived on a seven-match losing streak, the worst in their history.

Any assumptions about a straightforward home win were ended when Bizet slotted the visitors into the lead midway through the first half.

At that point keeper Tinja-Riikka Korpela was proving unbeatable, pulling off outstanding saves to deny Shaw (twice) and Kelly.

However, WSL top scorer Shaw was not to be denied, with quickfire goals before and after half-time breaking Spurs’ resistance.

Her first was a header after Korpela’s save was recycled back into the box and her second, a confident stroke of a penalty following Ashleigh Neville’s foul on Kelly.

City were generally in control but on the break, Spurs should have equalised only for Nikola Karczewska spooned over after Rosella Ayane had been brilliantly denied by Ellie Roebuck.

The points were secured when Shaw broke through two challenges and fired into the roof of net for her seventh goal in two games after netting four in the FA Cup last week at Bristol City.

Defeat leaves Spurs 10th in the table and nervously contemplating the improving form of sides below them.

More to follow.