More Women’s Super League action continued on Friday, with two blockbuster meetings scheduled.
Here is what went down.
Shaw hat-trick helps undefeated City rock Spurs
Scorers: Shaw 1′, 15′, 67′, Rood 67′
A showdown in Manchester saw City let the goals fly in a 4-0 victory over struggling Tottenham.
The hosts registered a staggering 19 shots to nine and dominated 72% possession of the ball as this clash at the Etihad was all about those in Blue. Spurs, meanwhile, had just one effort on target.
An undefeated City got off to the best start possible when an alert Shaw bundled Clare Hunt off the ball and blasted home from inside the box after only 24 seconds.
Not one for slowing down, Shaw eventually doubled the lead after 15 minutes when she headed home a cross from Lauren Hemp.
Fortunately for the visitors, they managed to keep City at bay until the hour mark. But Drew Spence, Jessica Naz Beth England, and all five substitutes failed to make an impact after the break.
Jill Roord eventually added a third when she hammered home a ball from Hemp to mark her first game at the Etihad with a goal. Then, in a flash, it became 4-0.
Hemp made it a hat-trick of assists and Shaw a hat-trick of goals on the night with a finish at the back post. The Jamaican now has six WSL hat-tricks to her name.
Looking at the WSL table, Manchester City have a four point lead over Chelsea (who have two games in hand).
Tottenham, meanwhile, earn their fourth loss of the season after seven games and face Arsenal next.
Impressive Arsenal cruise past dull Brighton
Scorers: Mead 13′, Foord 22′, Maanum 25′, Hurtig 76′, Russo 90+5′
It was one-way traffic inside a rocking Emirates Stadium as Arsenal beat Brighton 5-0.
A sizzling first half of football put the Gunners in the driver’s seat as Renée Slegers saw her players run wild in front of goal. Arsenal registered 18 shots compared to four for the Seagulls, who, for most of the game, struggled defensively, with Nikita Parris and Fran Kirby also falling short.
Beth Mead opened the scoring when she peeled off the last defender and perfectly controlled the ball before sending it to the opposite side of the net.
Captain Kim Little then ensured Arsenal doubled the lead when she delivered a cross into the box for Caitlin Foord, who turned home from point-blank range.
But perhaps the game’s best goal arrived via Frida Maanum, who picked her spot from the top left of the box and curled home into the opposite corner.
Lina Hurtig later came off the bench to produce her usual scoring abilities with her first goal of the season despite only being in the game for three minutes.
A penalty in the dying seconds from Alessia Russo then ensured it was a five-star showing for the hosts.
Brighton will wonder what went wrong as they failed to register their first shot of the game until the 70th minute. A crunch test, when put in front of the Seagulls, was simply too much.
Looking at the WSL standings, Arsenal (fourth) are now only one point behind Brighton (third).
