Shaw brace keeps Man City in title hunt

LONDON, England (CMC):

Reggae Girl Khadija Shaw continued her rich vein of form by bagging a brace, including the 89th-minute winner, as Manchester City overcame Brighton 2-1 yesterday to keep their English Women’s Super League (WSL) title hopes alive.

The 26-year-old, the WSL’s top-scorer, finished off a slick move to put the visitors in front after 21 minutes before Elisabeth Terland levelled for Brighton 12 minutes later at Broadfield Stadium.

City were the dominant side for much of the game, but they appeared likely to settle for a point until the pressure finally told and Shaw collected a loose ball just inside the penalty area and hit a low left-footed shot past a helpless Megan Walsh in the Brighton goal.

The brace, Shaw’s 14th and 15th league goals, took her season’s tally in all competitions to 26.

She could have easily bagged another two goals, but was denied by the Brighton stopper and had another effort deflected wide.

The win extended City’s unbeaten run to 13 WSL games and puts them level on points with rivals Manchester United in second place, just two points behind leaders Chelsea, although Gareth Taylor’s side have played a game more.

Brighton remain in 11th place with eight points and face a battle to retain their top-flight status.