Shaw scores but City slip to 2-1 defeat

LONDON, England (CMC):

Reggae Girl Khadija “Bunny” Shaw headed Manchester City into an early lead, but Arsenal came from behind to win 2-1 at Meadow Park yesterday and remain at the heart of the English Women’s Super League (WSL) title race.

The comeback completed a memorable week for the Gunners after they overcame Bayern Munich to reach the Champions League semi-finals.

Having already won the League Cup, Arsenal, now third behind Chelsea and leaders Manchester United in the league, remain in the hunt for a treble, with City slipping to fourth.

City were well on top in the first half and took the lead when 26-year-old Shaw found the far corner with a superb header to end a flowing move in the fifth minute, but the visitors wasted other chances to add to their lead.

It was Spanish Town-born Shaw’s 16th league goal and 27th in all competitions this season.

Shaw, the WSL top-scorer, caused Arsenal problems with her clever movement getting her into dangerous areas and for 45 minutes, it was a complete centre-forward’s performance.

Arsenal made adjustments after the break, however, and that led to their equaliser through Frida Maanum on 62 minutes and Katie McCabe’s stunning 74th-minute winner, as Shaw was slowly pushed to the periphery of the game.

City pushed for a late equaliser, but Shaw squandered their best chance with five minutes to go as Gareth Taylor’s side succumbed to their first WSL defeat in 15 games, a run stretching back to September, when they lost to Chelsea.