Manchester City’s return to the top of the Barclays Women’s Super League was never in doubt after Khadija Shaw’s first hat-trick of the season, but the scale of their 5-0 victory over West Ham United underscored the gulf separating them from the rest of the competition. Shaw’s three goals—including a first-half opener and a clinical finish in the second—mirrored her season-long dominance, as she continues to average 1.23 goals per 90 minutes in every league start. The win also marked Manchester City’s second clean sheet of the campaign, a rare feat for goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita, who has been imperious since replacing the injured Alex Greenwood.
The result wasn’t just a statement of intent; it was a tactical masterclass. City’s midfield, anchored by Shaw and Lauren Hemp, controlled possession with surgical precision, while Aoba Fujino and Iman Beney—both making their first league starts of the season—added lethal finishing to their burgeoning reputations. Fujino’s and Beney’s debut goals reflected the club’s depth, but it was Shaw’s versatility that defined the performance. Whether through poaching, tap-ins, or headers, her ability to score in every conceivable situation has made her the WSL’s most consistent striker, a fact underscored by her seven goals in nine games this term. Her omission from the FifPro Women’s World XI shortlist—despite leading the league in scoring—only fuels speculation about the award’s criteria, given her Ballon d’Or third-place finish last year and her golden boot from 2024.
Chelsea’s title hopes remain precarious after a 1-1 draw with Everton at Stamford Bridge, leaving Manchester City as the only team with a perfect record in the league. Their six consecutive wins this season mirror their 2016 campaign, when they secured their first Barclays WSL title, though the margin of victory this time was even more decisive. The win also exposed West Ham’s vulnerabilities, particularly in defense, as City’s attack exploited gaps with ruthless efficiency. For West Ham, the defeat—coming after a 2-1 Subway Players Cup triumph over their London rivals—highlights the challenges of competing with City’s firepower, especially with Daniëlle van de Donk’s creativity (4.1 xG, second only to Shaw’s 7.1) failing to translate into consistent results.
The next test for Manchester City will come against London City, who have won seven games in a row across all competitions—a historic streak. Their ability to score twice or more in the first half of their last two league games suggests they’re capable of disrupting City’s rhythm, but the hosts’ depth and Shaw’s individual brilliance will be too much for most opponents. With the league race now wide open, every point matters, and City’s combination of experience and youth—Fujino and Beney’s contributions were pivotal—positions them as the favorites to defend their title. The question isn’t whether they’ll win it again, but how many more goals Shaw will add to her tally before the season ends.
