Shaw brace keeps Manchester City perfect after Brighton fightback

City hold on after Brighton’s rapid response

Manchester City preserved their perfect start to their Women’s Super League title defence with a 3-2 home win over Brighton, but had to withstand a two-goal comeback in a frantic first half.

Khadija Shaw opened the scoring after five minutes, reaching Lauren Hemp’s cross ahead of goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie to finish from close range. Shaw headed in a second from another Hemp delivery, and Niamh Charles made it 3-0 by picking out the bottom-left corner in the 17th minute.

Brighton responded through Olivia Garcia, who finished Fran Kirby’s cross in the 31st minute, before Caitlin Hayes headed in from a corner six minutes later. City created further chances before the break but could not restore their three-goal cushion.

The second half was scrappier, with Shaw’s low effort the home side’s clearest opportunity to extend the lead. City nevertheless held on for a sixth consecutive league victory, remaining two points clear at the top of the early-season table.

Shaw’s scoring run continues

Shaw has scored in each of her last six WSL starts, matching her longest such run in the competition, previously recorded between February and April 2024. The report says the Jamaican has 89 goals in 85 English top-flight starts.

Chelsea and United also take three points

Chelsea stayed within two points of City after beating Tottenham 6-2 at Stamford Bridge. Lauren James and Ellie Carpenter scored twice each, while substitutes Sjoeke Nusken and Maika Hamano also found the net. The victory came in Sonia Bompastor’s 50th WSL match as a manager.

Manchester United made it three consecutive league wins with a 3-1 victory over Charlton Athletic. Ella Toone and Andrea Medina put United in control; Leah Davidson pulled one back before Julia Zigiotti Olme sealed the result in the 31st minute.

London City Lionesses also maintained their strong start, beating Everton 2-1. First-half goals from Delphine Cascarino and Freya Godfrey proved decisive despite Hannah Cain’s 71st-minute reply.