Manchester City women team don show say dem dey serious for dis year WSL title race as dem beat Tottenham Hotspur 5-2 for Joie Stadium on Saturday. The star of the match na Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, the Jamaican striker wey score hat-trick inside just 21 minutes – the fastest for WSL history.
The match start with City wey dey press Tottenham from the beginning. For the 8th minute, Shaw don already put City ahead after Alex Greenwood corner kick cause confusion for Tottenham defense. But Tottenham no gree give up easily. Olivia Holdt equalize for the visitors just few minutes later, make the score become 1-1.
City response quick quick. Shaw score again for 15th minute from another Greenwood corner, then complete her hat-trick for 21st minute after Kerolin cross. The Jamaican striker don set two WSL records: fastest hat-trick from first to third goal (12 minutes 37 seconds) and earliest hat-trick from match start.
Kerolin join the party before half-time, score City fourth goal after Lauren Hemp assist. Vivianne Miedema pressure cause Amanda Nilden own goal make the score become 5-1 before half-time. Tottenham try fight back for second half, but City defense hold strong. Bethany England score consolation goal for Tottenham late for the match.
Shaw performance no be only about goals. The striker show excellent hold-up play, tireless pressing, and even help for defensive situations. Her four hat-tricks against Tottenham don prove say she be Tottenham specialist.
For midfield, Sam Coffey and Laura Blindkilde Brown control the game well despite Yui Hasegawa absence. Coffey tenacity and game intelligence break Tottenham attacks, while Blindkilde Brown energy help drive City forward.
The victory mean Manchester City now dey top of WSL table with 46 points from 18 matches. Chelsea 1-1 draw with London City Lionesses make City lead increase to eight points, though Arsenal get two games wey dem never play. City home record for this season don reach ten wins from ten matches for Joie Stadium.
City goalkeeper Khiara Keating make important saves for second half to deny Signe Gaupset and Bethany England. Tottenham manager Martin Ho try change things with substitutions, bringing in Jessica Gunning-Williams and Eveliina Summanen, but City defense remain solid.
The match statistics show City dominance: 62% possession, 18 shots with 10 on target, compared to Tottenham 38% possession and 8 shots. City also win more corners (7 to 3) and complete more passes (512 to 312).
Shaw now don score 16 goals against Tottenham for just 12 matches at Joie Stadium. Her overall performance earn her Player of the Match award. The striker form this season don help City maintain perfect home record and put dem in strong position for title race.
Manchester City next match na important Manchester derby against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday 28 March. That match go broadcast live for BBC One for UK. United currently dey second position with 38 points, so the derby go crucial for title race.
Tottenham performance show dem still get work to do for defense. Conceding five goals for first half no be good sign for team wey want compete for top half of table. Manager Martin Ho need find solution quick before next match.
WSL title race don enter crucial stage with just four matches remain. City position at the top look strong, but Arsenal and Chelsea still dey chase. City consistency for home matches don be key factor for their success this season.
The records Shaw set today go enter WSL history books. Her achievement show the quality wey dey for women football and how players like Shaw dey raise the standard of the game. Fans for Joie Stadium witness something special as Shaw write her name for record books.
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