da 888casino： Bunny Shaw moved to the top of the WSL top scorer charts when bagging a hat-trick for Manchester City in their comfortable 4-1 win over Everton.
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Gareth Taylor's side up to secondStar striker setting the standardWinter break relief for the ToffeesTELL ME MORE
With Chelsea and Arsenal dropping points, City moved ominously up to second place in the Women’s Super League table heading into the winter break with a convincing victory on Merseyside. They survived an early scare inside the opening five minutes, but were ahead by the ninth as – less than 60 seconds after seeing a penalty saved by Courtney Brosnan – Shaw lobbed home a spectacular opener.
She then put down a serious Golden Boot marker when netting her second of the game in the 22nd minute, as she produced an impressive turn and finish from the edge of the box. City added a third through Jill Roord three minutes later, as the Netherlands international poked in a pull back from Lionesses winger Chloe Kelly.
Italian star Aurora Galli pulled one back for the Toffees in spectacular style 11 minutes into the second half, as her 20-yard strike found the top corner via the inside of the post, but Shaw claimed the match ball when meeting a Kelly free-kick with a stooping header in the 65th minute.
AdvertisementGettyTHE MVP
Prolific City striker Bunny Shawhit 20 goals in the WSL last season, with only Aston Villa and England star Rachel Daly able to better that return. The Jamaica international appears determined to come out on top in 2023-24, with her league tally for the campaign taken to nine and counting. She could have been forgiven for feeling a little sorry for herself after seeing an early spot-kick tipped around the post, but responded in style to have a deadly double to her name by the interval. It felt like a hat-trick was always on the cards, and so it proved for the talismanic 26-year-old.
GettyTHE BIG LOSER
Everton scored the goal of the game through Galli, and had their moments as an attacking force. They could have taken the lead in the opening exchanges and saw a hopeful cross from the left cannon back off the post late in the first half, but they were let down at the back. Brosnan may have turned away a penalty from Shaw, but was then caught out of position moments later as the ball sailed over her head. The Toffees were unable to contain the threat posed by England stars Kelly and Lauren Hemp down the flanks and have much to work on during the festive break.
WHAT COMES NEXT?
Domestic football in England now shuts down, with Manchester City not due to be back in action until facing Durham in the FA Cup fourth round on January 14. Everton will take to the field on the same day when they travel to Aston Villa.