Champions Manchester City beat West Ham 4-1, including a brace from Bunny Shaw, to end the league campaign in style and extend their impressive tally to 21 for the season.
Shaw, who was recently named Women’s Player of the Year, celebrated her two goals with a wry smile in front of the traveling Man City fans, even though her future at the club is still undecided and there are rumors of a move to Chelsea.
The speculation didn’t dampen her performance, as Jade Rose put the visitors ahead from a corner before scoring City’s second goal. Andrii Jegrats’ side have found the back of the net from corners 14 times this season, more than double the number of other teams combined.
However, Shaw was keen to showcase his open play repertoire, enjoying his normally abundant touches inside the opposition box and creating more chances (three) than any other player on the park. She was found by Aoba Fujino and smashed home her first goal of the afternoon, then latched onto Laura Coombs’ through ball and slotted it past Kinga Shemik for her second goal.
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Khadijah Shaw scores his 20th goal of the season as Manchester City make it 2-0 against West Ham.
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Khadijah Shaw scored her second goal of the afternoon, scoring twice against West Ham.
The afternoon wouldn’t have been complete without a little sentimentality as Coombs scored a stunning loop shot to beat Shemik in his final WSL appearance. The midfielder will end his seven-year spell at Man City, ending a nearly 20-year career that will go down as one of the WSL’s greats.
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Laura Coombs scored her fourth goal in her final appearance for Manchester City against West Ham.
West Ham certainly did their part, with Fionn Morgan and Selina Piuber combining to score some fine goals. Young Swiss forward Leila Wanderer also drew a good save from Asa Cummings in the second half, with the goalkeeper proving just how deep City’s reserves of talent are. Cummings had not played in the WSL for four years. She made a total of three top saves and spoke afterward about how “special” it was to be part of such an endlessly talented group.
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Manchester City lifted the Women’s Super League trophy to mark 10 years since their first league win.
Is Bunny’s future already decided?
Analysis by Laura Hunter of Sky Sports:
Bunny shows leave a lot of room for imagination. Her two goals in the win over West Ham were not celebrated in her trademark form. She is usually the running and jumping type of celebrant. But this time she stood without moving twice, with her arms crossed and a smile of realization on her face. At one point she gave a prayer sign.
What exactly does that mean? If rumors are to be believed, Shaw will leave City when his contract expires this summer. This loss would be a huge blow to City’s idea of domestic domination, especially if they lose to Chelsea.
However, there is still hope that the state of mind will change.
Khadija Shaw celebrates as Man City extend their lead against West Ham
“I’ve always said Manchester is my home and it’s where I want to be, but there’s a lot going on behind the scenes so I won’t talk about it right now, but I’ll always be proud of all the girls and everything,” she told Sky Sports on Saturday.
“Manchester is where I want to be, but we’ll see eventually.”
I spoke to Andriy Jegratz this week and he reiterated his desire to keep her. Maybe there’s another chapter yet to be written. Manchester City better keep their checkbooks ready. Shaw’s classes are definitely worth any cost.
Greenwood: WSL title is career high
Man City captain Alex Greenwood told Sky Sports:
“One of the best moments ever. I’ve been lucky enough to have a lot of great moments, but this is one of them.
“It’s a special day to share with wonderful people.
“We’ve worked hard all season for this moment and we deserve it and we deserve to enjoy it.”
Emotional Hemp: Tears came to my eyes!
Man City forward Lauren Hemp told Sky Sports:
“I can’t believe it. This group is so special and I was in tears as I walked there.
“We have been waiting for this for a long time so to get the trophy is incredible.
“The togetherness of this team is different. It’s like nothing I’ve ever been a part of before. It’s great to see the smiles on everyone’s faces.”
“Everyone did their part for this team to win this trophy.”
Jegratz: ‘It’s a surreal feeling’ to finally lift the trophy
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Manchester City head coach Andrii Zieglercs reacts to her team becoming Women’s Super League champions in her first season in charge
Man City head coach Andriy Jegrats told Sky Sports:
“It’s amazing, it’s also a bit surreal, you’ve been working so hard and all of a sudden you’re there.
“Of course, but it’s amazing to be a part of what we’ve accomplished this year and where we started here and where we are today.
“We have too many good players, but too few games! We have so many great players who deserve to play more than they ever have, but we played so few games in the league that we didn’t make it to the Champions League.
“Maintaining balance and motivation is the difficult part.
“But I’d rather do it that way than the other way around. And next year I’ll play more games and get more chances.”
