Shaw’s scoring streak continues as City clip Lionesses

LONDON, England (CMC):

Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw found the back of the net for the ninth time this season as Manchester City secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over London City Lionesses in Women’s Super League (WSL) action yesterday.

Shaw opened the scoring early in the second half, but City needed a goal from Lauren Hemp to secure all three points after Jana Fernandez drew the Lionesses level.

The Lionesses dominated much of the first half and almost went ahead after just 30 seconds when Rebecca Knaak nearly turned Lucia Corrales’ dangerous cross into her own net.

Fernandez, Danielle van de Donk, Izzy Goodwin, Alexia Putellas and Kadidiatou Diani all squandered good scoring opportunities for the Lionesses during the opening stages.

They were made to pay for those missed chances when Hemp picked out Shaw, who showed her quality by rounding goalkeeper Mary Earps before firing into the roof of the net from close range in the 53rd minute.

It was the Jamaican international’s ninth goal in eight WSL matches and kept the defending Golden Boot winner atop the league’s scoring chart.

The Lionesses responded well and kept the pressure on, earning a corner on the left flank that Fernandez capitalised on, glancing a header into the far corner to make it 1-1 in the 72nd minute.

However, City restored their advantage two minutes later when Hemp diverted a cross from Mary Fowler into the net for what proved to be the match-winning goal.