Khadija Shaw’s brace and another goal from Lauren Hemp helped Manchester City make it back-to-back wins in the Women’s Super League with a 3-0 victory at Tottenham. Gareth Taylor’s side had started the new campaign with consecutive defeats but followed up last weekend’s dismantling of Leicester with a clinical display in the capital.
Shaw struck either side of half-time at Brisbane Road to take her tally for the season to seven before Hemp grabbed a late third on a difficult day for Spurs, who saw Ellie Brazil leave the pitch on a stretcher. Tottenham and City had fought close battles during their WSL fixtures last season but the start of this clash was overshadowed when Brazil suffered a potentially serious injury in the third minute.
Brazil, a summer signing for Spurs, impressively closed down the visiting goalkeeper, Ellie Roebuck, but injured herself in the process of blocking the clearance. Brazil’s left leg had to be put in a brace and she eventually went off to warm applause following a lengthy delay.
City were able to settle better after the restart with Esme Morgan and Hemp, one of several Lionesses in the away lineup, sending efforts wide before Deyna Castellanos tested Rebecca Spencer in the home goal in the 25th minute. Spencer saved well from Castellanos and was equal to Yui Hasegawa’s long-rang shot after 40 minutes, too, but from the resulting corner Taylor’s side took the lead.
Alex Greenwood produced a pinpoint delivery into the area which Shaw met on the run, sending a well-timed header into the bottom corner. Tottenham responded to the opener with their first shot of note but Ashleigh Neville sliced over at the back post following Angharad James’s cross to ensure it remained 1-0 at the break.
City had enjoyed more than 70 per cent possession during the opening 45 minutes and were able to make their dominance count at the start of the second period. James was dispossessed inside her own half and Hemp passed to Shaw, who took her shot early and drilled into the bottom corner from 25 yards.
The City forward wheeled away in celebration and almost had her hat-trick on the hour mark but Molly Bartrip made a timely interception from Kerstin Casparij’s cutback. In between Shaw had taken a ball to the face from close range, but was able to carry on.
Chloe Kelly, wearing a white headband, looked to get in on the act soon after and saw a 20-yard effort deflected over by Asmita Ale. Shaw squandered another opportunity with 21 minutes left when she scuffed wide from Laura Coombs’ pass and it briefly lifted the hosts.
Eveliina Summanen produced a dangerous cross before Drew Spence curled over but City provided the sucker punch in the 76th minute.
Coombs found Hemp, who turned Amy Turner inside out before the England ace arrowed a left-footed shot in off the post to wrap up the scoring with her third goal of the season.