Record-breaker Shaw fires City into Champions League knockouts

Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw’s brace proved the difference in a hostile Stockholm atmosphere, with the Jamaican becoming our record goalscorer in Europe in the process as City got the win we needed to progress with two games to spare.

We took the lead on the half-hour through the Jamaican’s deflected strike, but the hosts responded early in the second 45 through Ellen Wangerheim.

But the Blues responded defiantly when Shaw rifled a vicious drive into the roof of the net just four minutes later to maintain our 100% record in Group D heading into the international break.

What happened?

Over 20,000 fans were packed into the Tele2 arena and while the stadium’s roof kept out the elements, it compacted the atmosphere into a cauldron of noise.

City took a while to really get to grips with the hostile environment, with Cathinka Tandberg’s speculative effort seeing Khiara Keating scramble across her line.

The hosts went close again before the 20-minute mark when Wangerheim flicked an effort just wide of the far post after a dangerous ball into the Blues’ area.

But Gareth Taylor’s side slowly began to feel ourselves into the game after that chance, striking the outside of the post from a corner soon after as the ball squirmed through a crowded area.

A few minutes later and the play fell invitingly to Leila Ouahabi, staying up after another set piece, but the full-back couldn’t make a clean contact after Hammarby had failed to clear.

City had weathered the storm, and the breakthrough would come on the half hour from Shaw.

Starved of any real sight of goal so far, the Jamaican latched onto Yui Hasegawa’s pass on the counter attack and, after getting the ball back onto her favoured right foot, saw her long-range effort deflect off a defender and into the top corner.

Shaw’s animated celebration in front of the home fans saw her roundly booed for the remainder of the tie, with replays also showing an object seemingly being thrown her way from the stands.

But it was former City winger Julie Blakstad who generated the biggest noise from the Hammarby crowd before the break when she flashed an effort an inch or so wide of the mark despite the attentions of both Alanna Kennedy and Gracie Prior.

And the hosts drew themselves level inside three minutes of the restart when Wangerheim stole in at the back post to tap home from a left-wing cross, despite Laura Blindkilde Brown seemingly being fouled in the build-up.

City certainly hadn’t had it all our own way in the Swedish capital, but once again took the lead just four minutes later in emphatic – and record-breaking – fashion through Shaw.

Picking up play from Jess Park on the edge of the Hammarby box, the Jamaican smashed an unstoppable effort into the roof of the hosts’ net, akin to her match-winning strike at Anfield earlier this season.

Having already drawn level with Georgia Stanway and Janine Beckie’s record of six Champions League goals, Shaw’s latest effort saw her surpass her former City team-mates and reach yet another impressive milestone.

It had been an enthralling start to the second half, with City thankful to Keating for an incredible double save in the next passage of play to keep our noses in front.

After that early excitement, clearcut chances were few and far between until the final ten minutes, when Aoba Fujino fired over from a tight angle after rounding Anna Tamminen.

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At the other end, Keating was once again the Blues’ hero, tipping Josendal’s goalbound effort away from danger soon after.

And as the game ticked into stoppage time, the City goalkeeper once again was alert to the danger to preserve the win, saving smartly once again from Josendal when the substitute tried her luck from a tight angle.

It wasn’t pretty, but Taylor’s side dug deep and got the win we needed.

What it means

City have guaranteed our spot in the Champions League quarter-finals with victory over Hammarby.

We still sit top of Group D with four wins from four, and could guarantee first place should we beat St Polten and Barcelona fail to win against the Swedes in Matchweek five.

How we lined up

Gareth Taylor made three changes from the side who were edged out by Chelsea in our most recent match, with Khiara Keating, Gracie Prior and Laura Blindkilde Brown all brought in.

Keating’s goal was shielded by a back four of Prior, Alanna Kennedy, Alex Greenwood and Leila Ouahabi.

Yui Hasegawa sat in front with Jess Park and Blindkilde Brown completing our midfield three.

Aoba Fujino and Mary Fowler started on the flanks with Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw leading the line for City in Stockholm.

Hammarby XI: Tamminen, Nystrom, Miyagawa (Sorbo 85’), Joramo, Vallotto (Hasund 85’), Wangerheim, Lennartsson (Josendal 74’), Karlsson (C), Tandberg (Westin 74’), Andersson (Holmberg 64’), Blakstad.

Subs: Okvist, Gibson, Andersson, Amano, Edrud.

City XI: Keating, Prior (Kelly 64’), Kennedy, Greenwood (C), Ouahabi, Hasegawa, Park, Blindkilde Brown, Fujino, Fowler, Shaw.

Subs: Yamashita, Startup, Thomas, Murphy, O’Carroll.

Up next

With the latest international break on the horizon, City now have a two-week wait for our next fixture.

The Blues welcome Leicester to the Joie Stadium on Sunday 8 December, with kick-off set for 13:00 (UK).

Our next Champions League match comes four days later, when we host St Polten on Thursday 12 December at 20:00.

As always, we’ll have comprehensive coverage of both clashes on our official Man City app.

Next Fixture

All fixtures

Thu 21 Nov

UEFA WCL

Hammarby

17:45

GMT

Man City