Bunny grabs hat-trick in magnificent seven for City

The Jamaican had City on course for all three points at the Joie Stadium inside 40 minutes, seven days on from finding the net in our Manchester derby triumph.

Lauren Hemp had scored a stunning goal in that victory at Old Trafford, and repeated the trick within minutes of the restart, before turning provider for Jill Roord soon after in a standout display as we ended a run of two home matches without a win.

A sixth would follow from Laura Coombs, who confidently stroked home Hemp’s cutback before the hour mark, before finding the top corner deep into stoppage time to complete the scoring and move City back up to third in the WSL.

What happened

City were anticipating a tough assignment on a chilly night at the Joie Stadium, with the visitors unbeaten in their last eight matches in all competitions.

And chances were at a premium in the opening stages, as Gareth Taylor’s side looked for a response to the frustrating Continental Cup draw with Leicester in midweek.

A dangerous Chloe Kelly cross aside, City’s first real sight of goal came just before the 15-minute mark, when Filippa Angeldahl’s glancing header flashed wide of the far post after a penetrating run from Hemp down the left.

But the breakthrough would come midway through the opening 45, when Leila Ouahabi’s pinpoint cross from the left was finished off by Shaw, who stole a yard on her marker to power home a header.

Spurs were far from out of the contest though, with Khiara Keating having to be at her acrobatic best to parry a vicious effort from Celin Bizet away from danger.

Despite that threat, the hosts were playing some delightful attacking football, and number two followed after the half hour.

Great combination play from Hemp and Roord allowed the latter to get in behind down the left and, after spotting Shaw’s intelligent run, the Dutch international sent and inch-perfect ball into our centre-forward’s path.

The Jamaican dispatched with ruthless efficiency, giving Becky Spencer no chance with a diving header.

BUY YOUR SHAW #21 SHIRT

Shaw had grabbed a hat-trick in this fixture last year and would repeat the feat before the break with what was perhaps the pick of the bunch.

Bringing Laia Aleixandri’s pass under her spell, the forward fired home a ninth goal in five games against Spurs on the turn to put City of sight.

A fourth would follow inside three minutes of the restart when Hemp found the top corner from around 18 yards, picking up play and firing home with her right foot after Roord’s initial effort had been blocked.

Spurs’ best chance of the game was sparked soon after, when WSL top scorer Martha Thomas was sent clean through on goal.

However, the forward’s effort back across goal was well read by Keating, and the City goalkeeper got down well to make the save.

And the visitors would be made to rue that missed opportunity even more when Hemp turned provider for Roord in the 53rd minute.

Floating an inviting cross into the far post from the left, the winger’s ball gave the Dutch international the simplest of headed finishes for her fifth WSL goal of the season.

Roord and Angeldahl were replaced by Deyna Castellanos and Coombs soon after, with the latter getting herself on the scoresheet for the second game in a row moments later as she stroked Hemp’s cutback into the far corner to extend the lead.

But while the points were wrapped up, City were determined to preserve the clean sheet, and were thankful to Keating for an exquisite acrobatic save to tip a dangerous Bizet header over the bar.

At the other end, Alex Greenwood was inches from grabbing what would’ve been the goal of the game, when her curling free-kick from around 30 yards hit the top of the Spurs crossbar with 15 to play.

Nine minutes were added on at the Joie Stadium, but City weren’t content with six, as Coombs finished things off with a clinical strike, firing Jess Park‘s cutback into the top corner late on.

A complete performance in front of a buoyant home crowd, ensuring we signed off for the latest international break in style.

Player of the Match: Bunny Shaw

The Jamaican’s first half hat-trick set the tone for one of our finest displays of the season.

Clinical in front of goal and an imposing presence off it, Shaw led the line with distinction before gaining a well-earned rest for the final few minutes at the Joie Stadium.

Her scoring tally for the season now stands at seven in eight appearances.

What it means

Victory moves us back up to third in the WSL table, three points behind second-placed Arsenal and one point ahead of Manchester United.

How we lined up

Gareth Taylor named an unchanged side from our last WSL fixture against Brighton, meaning Khiara Keating kept her place between the sticks, with a back four of Laia Aleixandri, Alanna Kennedy, Alex Greenwood and Leila Ouahabi.

Yui Hasegawa sat in front of the defence, with Filippa Angeldahl and Jill Roord completing the midfield three.

At the sharp end, Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp started on either flank with Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw leading the line as centre forward.

CITY XI: Keating, Aleixandri, Kennedy, Greenwood, Ouahabi (Stokes 83’), Hasegawa, Angeldahl (Coombs 56’), Roord (Castellanos 56’), Kelly (Park 83’), Shaw (Fowler 83’), Hemp.

SUBS: Roebuck, Houghton, Morgan, Casparij.

SPURS XI: Spencer, Bartrip, Clinton (Graham 78’), Ale (Zadorsky 63’), Bizet (Naz 78’), James, Thomas, Zhang (Ayane 46’), Buhler, Summanen (Percival 78’), Neville.

SUBS: Votikova, Turner, Petzelberger, Pearse.

Up next

Our next WSL fixture sees City welcome Aston Villa to the Joie Stadium after the upcoming international break.

Gareth Taylor’s side hosts the Villans on Saturday 9 December, with kick-off set for 12:00 (UK), and the match available to watch live on Sky Sports.