Man City go two points clear before WSL showdown with Chelsea

Manchester City moved two points clear at the top of the Women’s Super League after Khadija Shaw’s hat-trick led them to a 5-0 win over West Ham, while Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton. The results set up next Saturday’s meeting between the sides with the title race finely poised.

City were level on points with Chelsea before Saturday’s matches, but the champions’ emphatic victory narrowed the goal-difference gap and took them into the lead. Shaw has scored 12 goals in nine league appearances this season, accounting for 44% of City’s WSL goals.

Chelsea had 20 shots against Everton and an expected-goals total of 2.14, but could not convert their chances. Lucy Bronze’s own goal proved decisive. Captain Erin Cuthbert said Chelsea had not been “on the same page” and could not afford many more days like that if they wanted to remain in the title race.

City, by contrast, scored five after Shaw opened the scoring. Lauren Hemp said she and Shaw had built a strong connection over time. City manager Andrée Jeglertz said the squad’s depth would be important during a run of five games in two weeks.

Chelsea can reclaim top spot by beating City next Saturday. The champions have won their past two meetings with Chelsea, but Jeglertz said his side would need to “battle the whole way” to defend the title. In 2023-24, City led the league by three points with two matches remaining but lost the title to Chelsea on goal difference on the final day.