Not only did Khadija “Bunny” Shaw score a record-extending ninth WSL hat-trick, she scored a “perfect hat-trick” for the fourth time in the competition, something nobody else has managed more than once. Against West Ham the Jamaica striker opened the scoring with her left foot, headed home her second off the underside of the crossbar and tucked in her third with her right foot late on. It helped her side towards a 5-0 win that opened up a two-point gap at the top of the table and stretched Shaw’s lead in the race to be the top division’s top scorer to a five-goal advantage over her nearest challenger, Océane Hurtré.
Can anybody stop her relentless pursuit of another Golden Boot? Tom Garry Are Liverpool getting the points that their performances deserve? Arguably not, on Sunday’s showing.
A 2-1 defeat against Arsenal left Gareth Taylor’s side just two places above the automatic relegation zone and just one spot above the relegation playoff place – despite creating plenty of chances and striking the crossbar, as they impressed in possession. Their defender Grace Fisk feels they are on the right path, saying: “Between both boxes I think we’re one of the best in the league, hands down. Sometimes, I’m watching the way our midfield is playing and the way they move, it’s just a joy to watch.” She added: “We gave it a good fight, I hope the fans see that, but it just wasn’t to be.” TG London City Lionesses kept pace with Manchester City and Chelsea in the race for the WSL title ahead of a huge opportunity to gain ground next week.
The Bromley-based side cruised to a 4-1 win against Birmingham on Sunday, keeping them third while moving them four points behind Chelsea, who face the leaders and title rivals City next week. One or both of the two leading sides will drop points at Stamford Bridge, allowing London City to gain ground in the race – if they beat struggling Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. On the prospect of closing in on their rivals, the Lionesses head coach, Eder Maestre, said: “First we need to have a good result against Arsenal.
The Emirates is going to be a very challenging environment so hopefully we can have a very good result and close the gap.” Emillia Hawkins Manchester United may have a negative goal difference, having scored 10 and conceded 11 in nine WSL games, but they seem to have found the defensive solidity they were missing at the start of the season. Eight of those 11 goals conceded came in their opening three games as Eva Olid’s side adapted to the tactical demands and style of the new manager. I feel that the confidence is still a little low and it’s something we need to dedicate a lot of time to improve.” Suzanne Wrack The result may have been crushing for Charlton, who are still yet to pick up a point in the WSL, but there were rare positives for Karen Hills to take from their 3-2 loss to Crystal Palace.
It was the first time they had scored twice in a game this campaign and they accrued twice as many shots on target, six to three, than the home side. We’re all learning,” said Hills after Bethany England’s 90th-minute winner. But we knew Crystal Palace, we know them really, really well, and that game today was us.
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