WSL: Shaw's hat-trick helps Manchester City thrash Spurs to move four points clear at the top

Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw scored a hat-trick, including one in the first minute, in a 4-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Friday, putting the hosts four points clear at the top of the Women's Super League.

City have 19 points from seven games, while Chelsea are second with 15 points and two games in hand before visiting sixth-placed Liverpool on Sunday.

Shaw scored 23 seconds after kickoff at Etihad Stadium, capitalising on an error by centre-back Clare Hunt.

"We really enjoyed that one," Shaw told Sky Sports. "We spoke as a team about wanting to come out here and be on the front foot. We said we hadn't really scored early in a game, so we're going to go and press, and it worked out."

The Jamaican continued to cause Hunt nightmares, scoring her second goal in the 15th minute when she nodded in Lauren Hemp's precise cross, the first of three assists for Hemp.

Jill Roord scored for the third consecutive WSL game in the 66th minute, giving City a three-goal lead, before Shaw completed her hat-trick a minute later, tapping in Hemp's low cross from the far post.

"With the players I have around me, I know I'm going to get crosses, and just making the right movement in the box they'll find me," Shaw said. "It's something I pride myself in, especially being in the box and the ball being out wide, I know I have to be ready for the crosses."

Shaw, who has three hat-tricks against Spurs, increased her lead atop this season's WSL scoring charts as she moved on to seven goals, while her six career hat-tricks also lead the league.

"I feel like I always know where Bunny (Shaw) is going to be, I know where she's going to run, especially for that third goal, I just thought I'd put it into space and obviously Bunny was there to finish it," Hemp said.

Hemp had a couple of great chances herself, forcing keeper Rebecca Spencer to make a diving save on one shot and then shooting another that ricocheted against both posts and out. Hemp buried her face in her hands in disbelief.

"I was absolutely devastated," the England forward said.

Spurs are now seventh on seven points following the defeat.

Arsenal moved up to fourth place with a 5-0 victory against visiting Brighton & Hove Albion, who are still third on 13 points, one point ahead of the Gunners. Manchester United, who have two games in hand, can finish third with a home victory over Aston Villa on Sunday.

Arsenal's third victory was secured by Beth Mead, Caitlin Foord, Frida Maanum, Lina Hurtig, and Alessia Russo, who converted a penalty.

Prior to Friday's horror at the Emirates, Brighton had conceded only four goals in their first six games of the season.

SportsLigue