Shaw bags 13th goal in City’s win

LONDON, England (CMC):

Reggae Girl Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw netted her 13th goal of the Women's Super League campaign as Manchester City beat Tottenham 2-0 to remain in touch with leaders Chelsea.

Playing at Brisbane Road in east London yesterday, the visitors led after nine minutes through Amy Turner's own goal before the 26-year-old Shaw doubled the lead in the 51st.

City lie second in the standings, level with Arsenal on 28 points and three adrift of Chelsea.

"I was really impressed with the first goal, after maybe 25, 30 passes, we controlled the play around the edge of their box," said City manager Gareth Taylor.

"Lauren puts in a brilliant ball, forces their defender into real pressure, and we end up with an own goal, which is great.

"We spoke about a few things at half-time, and the players grabbed a hold of it. Lauren picks out a good assist for Bunny [who produces a] good finish, and it sets us off."

The last meeting between the two teams last November finished in a 7-0 drubbing for Spurs away to City, with Shaw grabbing a hat-trick.

There was no such goal fest this time around, however, but City controlled the encounter from the outset.

The opening goal came when Laura Hemp beat her marker out wide and whipped in a cross at the near post for Shaw, with Turner getting ahead of the Jamaican and turning the ball past her own goalkeeper.

Martha Thomas then wasted a golden opportunity to equalise in the 19th minute after she was put through on goal by Grace Clinton - blasting her drive over the crossbar from the top of the 18-yard box.

There was frustration again for the Scot when she finished off a flowing move in the 30th minute only for the goal to be flagged off-side.

Spurs paid dearly for their missed opportunities, when Shaw put the game to bed in the early stages of the second half.

Hemp drove forward into the box and then released Shaw to her left, who finished with aplomb with her left foot from a tight angle, into the roof of the nets.