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Khadija Shaw made Women’s Super League history on Saturday as Manchester City beat Tottenham 5-2 to move eight points clear at the top of the table with four games remaining. Shaw scored the fastest hat-trick in WSL history, reaching three goals in a span of 12 minutes and 37 seconds.
Manchester City’s striker opened the scoring after eight minutes, volleying home after Tottenham failed to clear a corner. Olivia Holdt responded quickly for Spurs, but the match soon swung decisively back in City’s favor as Shaw scored twice more with a pair of headers to complete her hat-trick inside 21 minutes.
That burst settled the contest early. Kerolin added another before an own goal from Amanda Nilden completed a punishing first half for Tottenham, with Manchester City scoring all five of their goals before the interval.
Bethany England struck late for Spurs, but the damage had long been done as City took another step in the title race. The result gave Manchester City a significant cushion at the summit, at least temporarily, with only four matches left in their league campaign.
Shaw sets two major WSL records against Tottenham
Shaw’s performance carried historic weight beyond the three points. Her hat-trick was the fastest ever recorded in the Women’s Super League, and it was also the earliest hat-trick scored from the start of a match in the competition.
The Manchester City forward also strengthened an extraordinary record against Tottenham. She has now scored 15 WSL goals against Spurs, the most one player has scored against a single opponent in the competition, moving past Vivianne Miedema’s previous mark of 14 against Bristol City.
There is also a clear pattern to Shaw’s success in this fixture at home. She has now scored a hat-trick in each of her last four league games at home against Tottenham, underlining just how often this matchup has brought out her most ruthless finishing.
Manchester United stay in the chase
Elsewhere in the title race, Manchester United climbed back into second place with a dramatic 2-1 win over Everton. Elisabeth Terland gave United the lead in the first half, but Inma Gabarro equalised in the 90th minute for the Toffees.
Melvine Malard then scored in the 94th minute to give Manchester United all three points and keep them within reach ahead of a crucial Manchester derby next weekend. That result ensured the pressure remains on City despite their commanding advantage.
Chelsea and Arsenal lose ground in different ways
Chelsea dropped points in a 1-1 draw with London City Lionesses at The Den. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd put Chelsea in front, but Isobel Goodwin equalised, leaving the Blues nine points behind Manchester City.
Arsenal produced the most emphatic result of the day outside Manchester City’s win, beating West Ham 5-0 at Emirates Stadium. Chloe Kelly scored twice and added an assist, while Alessia Russo, Beth Mead and Stina Blackstenius also found the net.
That victory left Arsenal two points behind third-placed Chelsea with two games in hand, tightening the race for the Champions League places even as Manchester City strengthened their position at the top.