Khadija Shaw delighted over goal glut, Champions League chance

Jamaica’s Khadija Shaw is happy to be helping her Manchester City team get closer to a UEFA Women’s Champions League place after scoring four goals in a 7-2 rout of Brighton & Hove Albion in the Women’s Super League yesterday.

City now sit third in the league with 41 points after 20 games, five adrift of Arsenal in second. Arsenal, who are four points off leaders Chelsea, have also played 20 games.

City, who have won their last five games, are just two points ahead of Manchester United in the final Champions League position.

Shaw opened the scoring for City in the third minute of play, before doubling her account in the 12th. Caroline Weir would make it 3-0 in the 16th minute before a 21st-minute penalty by Inessa Kaagman reduced the deficit for Brighton. A 45th-minute goal from Julia Zigiotti Olme left the game precariously poised at 3-2 going into the second half.

But Shaw would pick up where she left off in the second half, scoring in the 57th minute to complete her hat-trick and restoring some comfort for City, before adding a fourth in the 61st. Alex Greenwood, 68th, and Lauren Hemp, 69th, were the other scorers for City.

“Big win from the team,” said Shaw.

“We knew that if we win this game we would move even closer to a Champions League position. Buzzing to get four goals today.”