Khadija “Bunny” Shaw underlined her reputation as one of the Women’s Super League’s most lethal strikers on Sunday, netting twice from the penalty spot as Manchester City brushed aside the London City Lionesses 4-1.
The 28-year-old Jamaican forward struck in the 69th and 89th minutes to extinguish any hopes of a comeback, sealing a convincing victory that lifted City to third place in the table on nine points after four matches. Only Manchester United (10 points) and Chelsea (12 points) currently sit ahead.
Shaw’s brace also carried her season tally to three goals, moving her among the WSL’s top scorers and cementing her status as a driving force in City’s attack.
Lightning start from the hosts
City wasted no time asserting dominance. Dutch striker Vivianne Miedema opened the scoring in the 11th minute, nodding home from close range after Kerstin Casparij delivered a pinpoint cross. Just three minutes later, Laura Blindkilde Brown doubled the advantage, threading a low strike through a crowded penalty area.
The visitors clawed their way back into the contest in the 19th minute when sloppy defending gifted them possession. Former City forward Nikita Parris capitalized with a sharp turn and precise finish into the corner, halving the deficit and injecting life into the Lionesses.
Shaw’s composed finishing seals the deal
But the afternoon ultimately belonged to Shaw. Her first penalty came after Saki Kumagai was judged to have handled inside the box, and she dispatched the spot-kick with authority in the 69th minute. Twenty minutes later, she repeated the feat, coolly converting from 12 yards after Wassa Sangare’s foul left the referee with little choice.
The result keeps City firmly in the early-season title chase while highlighting Shaw’s knack for stepping up in decisive moments.
