Women’s Super League top scorer Khadija Shaw scored the game’s only goal as Manchester City moved within three points of the Champions League places with a narrow win at West Ham.
Deyna Castellanos’ excellent first-time pass put Shaw on the ball and the Jamaican striker quietly rounded the keeper to score her ninth league goal of the season five minutes into the second half.
The game was played exclusively in West Ham’s own half for long stretches, but the hosts had chances and have yet to wonder how an almighty run into City’s penalty area didn’t bring the first goal after 25 minutes.
In the second half, Paul Konchesky’s side pressed to equalize but City looked most likely to add to the late goal tally.
Shaw’s stabbing effort returned to the post and Castellanos was denied by a good reaction from Hammers goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.
City’s win extends their unbeaten run to 11 matches in all competitions and sees them close the gap on third-placed Arsenal.
The city remains in the race for the title
Back-to-back defeats to start their WSL campaign have left City playing catch-up this season with Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal leading the way.
However, they are unbeaten since a 2-0 loss at Chelsea in late September and following the 1-1 draw between Arsenal and leaders Chelseathey are now just six points from first place with one game less.
Despite all their first-half dominance, the visitors needed a bit of luck to progress level at half-time as Leila Ouahabi cleared Grace Fisk’s shot from the line in a scramble for goal before Ellie Roebuck saved from Risa Shimizu after Gareth Taylor’s team went out on a pitch.
The threat before the break had come from England pair Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp on the wings, but when the goal came it was an arrow through the heart of the West Ham defence.
Yui Hasegawa’s incisive pass took out two West Ham players and Castellanos did the rest by opening his body to slide a perfectly weighted ball into Shaw’s path.
It was a top-class goal to break a stubborn West Ham backline and while Shaw had the chance to make the final minutes more comfortable, one was enough to keep City in touch with those above. them.
