Manchester City earned an important three points in the Women’s Super League on Sunday thanks to a record-breaking Bunny Shaw brace.
The Jamaica international reached 26 goals, becoming City Women’s highest-scoring player in a single season across all competitions.
Combined with Manchester United’s loss to Chelsea, the Sky Blues move into a tie for second place in the table.
City and Brighton met back in January, with the Sky Blues enjoying a comfortable 3-1 victory at home. Today’s affair was far from decisive until Shaw’s late heroics.
Starting XIs
Brighton
Walsh; Pattinson, Kullberg, Morse, Bergsvand, Connolly, Zigiotti, Lee, Robinson, Sarri, Terland
Man City
Maciver; Aleixandri, Houghton (c), Greenwood, Ouahabi, Hasegawa, Angeldahl, Coombs, Kelly, Hemp, Shaw
Embed from Getty ImagesHow it went
Just 17 minutes into the tie and it seemed as though Brighton had found the opener. Veatriki Sarri put one past Sandy MacIver, but the goal was quickly ruled offside, restoring the deadlock.
With the game off to a strong start, the opening goal came from perhaps the most predictable source. A lovely link-up play between Shaw and Yui Hasegawa saw the City take the lead. The Jamaican international bagged her 25th goal in 22 games across all competitions and is on fire right now.
The 27th minute saw a second goal ruled offside for the Seagulls as Lee Geum-Min’s header was disallowed by the referee. It wouldn’t be long however until the hosts found the equaliser.
Elisabeth Terland’s right footed effort looped over Maciver bringing the tie level at the break.
A frustrating second half saw the game at times become disjointed as both sides searched for a winner. Ultimately it would be WSL top scorer Shaw who would find the back of the net in the 89th minute.
The goal marked her 15th league goal of the season and 26th for the season overall.
Embed from Getty ImagesSunday’s victory sees the Sky Blues go level with local rivals Man United, behind only on goal difference. Brighton finished the match just one point clear of Leicester in the relegation battle. The Seagulls do have a game in hand on the Foxes, however.
Up next
Manchester City will travel to face Aston Villa in the FA Cup quarter final before hosting fellow title contenders Chelsea in the WSL.
Brighton will make the trip to Reading before hosting Manchester United at Broadfield Stadium.
