Shaw goal in vain as City slip to 2-1 defeat

(CMC) – Reggae Girl Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw headed Manchester City into an early lead, but Arsenal came from behind to win 2-1 at Meadow Park on Sunday and remain at the heart of the English Women’s Super League (WSL) title race.

The comeback completed a memorable week for the Gunners after they overcame Bayern Munich to reach the Champions League semi-finals.

Having already won the League Cup, Arsenal, now third behind Chelsea and leaders Manchester United in the league, remain in the hunt for a treble, with City slipping to fourth.

City were well on top in the first half and took the lead when Shaw found the far corner with a superb header to end a flowing move in the fifth minute, but the visitors wasted other chances to add to their lead.

It was Shaw’s 16th league goal and 27th in all competitions this season.

Shaw, the WSL top scorer, caused Arsenal problems with her clever movement getting her into dangerous areas and for 45 minutes, it was a complete centre forward’s performance.

Arsenal made adjustments after the break, however, and that led to their equaliser through Frida Maanum on 62 minutes and Katie McCabe’s stunning 74th-minute winner, as Shaw was slowly pushed to the periphery of the game.

City pushed for a late equaliser but Shaw squandered their best chance with five minutes to go as Gareth Taylor’s side succumbed to their first WSL defeat in 15 games – a run stretching back to September, when they lost to Chelsea.