For much of Sunday afternoon, Manchester City’s dominance lacked only the final touch.
Chance after chance slid past Khadija “Bunny” Shaw’s boots or drifted beyond the far post, leaving Leicester City momentarily buoyant in the Women’s Super League clash at the King Power Stadium.
But when the match approached what felt like an inevitable stalemate, Shaw transformed frustration into authority, producing a late burst that carried City to a commanding 3-0 victory and extended their lead atop the WSL table to six points.
A flurry of misses before the breakthrough
Shaw’s early afternoon was defined by near-misses, six of them, including four in the first half alone. Manchester City dictated tempo and territory, yet Leicester goalkeeper Janina Leitzig and a determined defensive unit kept the scoreboard motionless deep into the second period.
The tension grew as each chance went begging and the minutes ticked away. City’s rhythm was intact, but their finishing refused to cooperate, until Shaw seized control.
Seventh time’s the charm
In the 74th minute, the Jamaican striker finally cracked Leicester’s resistance. A mishandled clearance by Celeste Boureille presented Shaw with a fleeting window, and she needed no invitation. She drove a firm, low effort past Leitzig to break the deadlock and release City from their scoring drought.
Her response was immediate, emphatic, and match-defining.
A towering header and a decisive assist
Nine minutes later, Shaw rose above the defensive line to meet Lauren Hemp’s precise cross, guiding a header into the far corner for her second of the evening and tilting the contest decisively Manchester City’s way.
Still not finished, Shaw turned provider in stoppage time. In the fourth minute of added time, she threaded a through ball into space for Kerolin, whose composed finish sealed City’s three-goal cushion.
WSL’s leading scorer extends her advantage
The performance, two goals and one assist, also lifted Shaw to eight league goals, the highest total of any player in the WSL this season. Her contribution reaffirmed both her clinical edge and her stature as the league’s most feared forward.
