LONDON, UK – Reggae Girl Khadija “Bunny” Shaw netted a her 18th goal in all competitions to become Manchester City’s all-time goal-scorer in the Women’s Super League era, as the hosts battered neighbors Manchester United 3-1 to go top of the league on Saturday.
Jamaica international Khadija Shaw.The 27-year-old fired home her side’s third goal almost immediately following the resumption from the break at the Etihad, to extend her ruthless scoring streak and overtake previous City record-holder Georgia Stanway, who now plays for Bayern Munich in Germany.
“It means a lot. The girls demand a lot of me [and] it starts on the training pitch. Even if I score, I know they’ll be on me,” Shaw said after notching her 68th goal for the club.
“I just try to do the bits I can at the top end of the pitch. Of course, the girls look for me to score. It’s not easy but I just try to do the best that I can.”
City manager Gareth Taylor labelled Shaw as a “unique player” after the striker completed the feat in only her 82nd game for the club.
“It’s amazing how short the time it’s taken her to get there,” Taylor said.
“She’s a unique player, not only does she give us the goals, she’s a big focal point. She gives everything for the team. Her game’s improved a lot since she first came from France.
“She’s a good personality to work with, she’s honest, helps the team and her goals are so important for us.”
Jess Park scored the first goal of her first-half brace in the 37th minute to put City ahead, the 22-year-old tapping in from close range after Spanish international Leila Ouahabi picked her out in the box.
And Park added her second on the stroke of half-time, hooking in Alanna Kennedy’s header across the box, again from close range, to put City in firm control of the derby.
Shaw then put the game out of reach in the first minute after the break, running on to the end of Hemp’s pass, out-muscling centre back Maya Le Tissier and slotting a calm finish behind goalkeeper Mary Earps’s reach.
United got on the scoresheet when City defender Kerstin Casparij turned in Hannah Blundell’s cross in the 73rd minute.
City are on 43 points and three clear of title-holders Chelsea who will return to the summit on Sunday if they win away to West Ham United.
