Tottenham Hotspur endured a dismal night under the Etihad lights on Friday, succumbing to a 4-0 defeat at the hands of league leaders Manchester City.
Gareth Taylor’s side dominated proceedings from the outset, thanks to a quick-fire brace from Bunny Shaw that set City firmly on the path to victory.
Jill Roord added City’s third goal in the second half before Shaw completed her hat-trick, taking her tally to 12 goals in five games against Spurs. This latest feat made Shaw the first player in Barclays WSL history to score three hat-tricks against the same team, including her trio of goals during last season’s 7-0 thrashing of Tottenham.
“I just pride myself on working for the team because I know with the players I have around me, I’m going to get opportunities,” Shaw told Sky Sports.
“I’m confident in my ability and Tottenham is no different. I’m just scoring against them—what can I say?
‘’If we start every game on the front foot, we’re really good.
‘’We have to keep pushing to raise the level even higher so that we become unstoppable.”
Tottenham’s troubles began almost immediately. Defender Clare disastrous error just 23 seconds after kick-off allowed Shaw to pounce on the loose ball and slot it past Becky Spencer with composure, giving City an early 1-0 lead.
City’s intent was unmistakable as they dominated possession and pressed relentlessly. Less than 15 minutes in, Spurs’ early struggles compounded when Shaw headed home a precise cross from Lauren Hemp, doubling City’s advantage.
Robert Vilahamn’s side had a brief reprieve when Jill Roord’s volley was ruled out for offside after a flurry of blocked City attempts. Yet, Spurs’ reprieve was fleeting as City continued to showcase their attacking prowess.
Tottenham’s woes deepened in the second half.
Lauren Hemp rattled both posts and the crossbar in the 57th minute, narrowly missing out on a goal herself but contributing heavily with her playmaking.
Moments later, she set up Roord for City’s third, with Roord unleashing a powerful strike to seal the game’s fate.
City’s onslaught continued, and Shaw completed her hat-trick with a close-range finish, capping off another assist from Hemp—her third of the match.
The final 4-0 scoreline highlighted Tottenham’s ongoing struggles this season, with just two wins in their opening seven WSL games.
Meanwhile, City’s emphatic display underlined their title credentials and Shaw’s prolific form against Spurs.
Starting XIs
Manchester City: Keating (GK), Casparij, Kennedy, Greenwood (C), Ouahabi, Park, Hasegawa, Roord, Fujino, Shaw, Hemp
Tottenham Hotspur: Spencer (GK), Neville, Buhler, Hunt, Bartrip, Morris, Vinberg, Spence, Summanen, England (C), Naz
Featured image courtesy of Manchester City FC