Khadija Shaw starred in Manchester City's 4-0 rout of Tottenham in the WSL with Lauren Hemp also shining brightly with three assists to her name.
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Man City thrash Spurs 4-0Shaw nets stunning hat-trickHemp provides three assistsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportTELL ME MORE
With Shaw leading the charge, City wasted no time in exploiting a fragile Tottenham defence, who remain plagued by their reputation as the Women’s Super League (WSL) team to have conceded the most goals, now up to 18. The striker pickpocketed Clare Hunt and ran through on goal before completing a composed finish. After Shaw’s opening goal, Tottenham attempted to regroup but seemed rattled by the early blow. Their strategy of playing out from the back repeatedly faltered as they struggled to get out of their own half.
City midfielder Yui Hasegawa took advantage of another Tottenham error and attempted a shot from distance, forcing goalkeeper Becky Spencer to make a save down to her right. However, City extended their lead as Shaw scored her second goal of the match in the 15th minute. Lauren Hemp delivered a well-timed looping cross into the penalty area, allowing Shaw to rise above Tottenham defenders and connect with a powerful header to send the ball in the back of the net.
The second half resumed with a substitution for Tottenham, as Hunt, who had struggled in the first 45 minutes, was replaced by Amy James-Turner. But the change hardly made a difference in the proceedings as City went on to add more misery on Spurs. After the hour-mark, Jill Roord joined the party and scored the third after she was set up Hemp. The visitors had hardly recovered from conceding the third when Shaw netted the fourth of the night to complete her hat-trick. Hemp drilled in an inch-perfect cross from the byline and Shaw was at the right place at the right time to turn it in. Spurs manager, Robert Vilahamn, thought he had seen enough and was quick to shift to a back-five after the fourth goal for the rest of the match as he tried to save himself and his team from more embarrassment.
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Shaw created history at Etihad on Friday after she became the first player to score three hat-tricks against the same opponent (Tottenham) in WSL. Moreover, she now boasts of having six match balls – the most by a player in the competition.
Getty Images SportTHE MVP(S)
Shaw’s performance solidified her position as a Golden Boot contender, with the City forward netting her 12th goal of the season and seventh in WSL. A clinical performance from the Jamaican on an evening when everything she touched turned to gold. She is now four clear of the herd in the top-scorers list as four players are tied in the second spot with three goals.
Hemp was another player who was at her absolute best on the left flank. While Shaw scored three, Hemp turned provider on three occasions. Ella Morris struggled to keep a check on her as she danced effortlessly with the ball at her feet to dazzle a delighted Etihad audience.
THE BIG LOSER
Tottenham’s Hunt had a torrid outing against City. She was responsible for Shaw’s first goal due to a turnover and faltered again by failing to mark her during the second goal. Mentally shaken, Hunt’s departure at half-time was unsurprising given her struggles against the prolific City striker.
