GARETH TAYLOR reckons Khadija Bunny Shaw is leaping to the challenge of becoming Manchester City’s main threat up top.
The Jamaica striker struck twice as City trounced Leicester in a 4-0 home win with Yui Hasegawa bagging a stunning debut goal.
And Lauren Hemp was also on target netting the hosts’ third as Shaw took her WSL tally to three goals in three games this season.
The striker has started in all of City’s league games following the retirement of club legend Ellen White.
Taylor, whose team visit Tottenham next, said: “Bunny is showing what she’s capable of week-in, week-out. She had a good season last year.
“She had good competition with Ellen and she gave us different options. At the moment she’s our one real standout option (as a striker).
“We’ve got to other players who can potentially play there with the likes of Deyna Castellanos and Mary Fowler.
“It’s a good start for her and a good challenge and one that she’s enjoying.”
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On City claiming their first win this term, Shaw said: “We wanted to show our quality and bounce back from the two defeats (against Aston Villa and Chelsea).
“It’s time we got points on the table, and we wanted to use this game to build momentum going forward.”
The hosts went on the attack quickly with Castellanos close to getting a boot on the end of Hemp’s fifth-minute cross.
Chloe Kelly struck the crossbar with a fierce effort in the 13th minute before Sophie Howard hit the side netting for the Foxes ten minutes later.
City took the lead shortly after with Hemp teeing up Shaw’s leaping header home after a fine run forward from Esme Morgan.
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The Foxes looked to pull one back with Aileen Whelan’s rifled shot blocked moments before Castellanos thumped the crossbar minutes before half-time.
Taylor’s side doubled their lead in the 71st minute through Hemp’s header.
Shaw then made it three pouncing on a rebound after Foxes keeper Kirstie Levell saved Alex Greenwood’s spot-kick.
Hasegawa, making her first City appearance since her summer switch from West Ham, was among the starters who impressed.
The Japan star scored a stunning debut goal for Taylor’s side rifling home a right-footed shot to seal a 4-0 win.
The Academy Stadium chief added: “Yui brings fluidity to the play, she’s good technically in between the lines and can score goals as she did in this game.
“She is a player we have admired, and I’m pleased we’ve been able to secure her. I think she will do really well at this club.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
