Khadija Shaw is the “focal point” of the Manchester City team, said manager Gareth Taylor after the forward bagged her eighth goal of the Women’s Super League campaign City’s victory over Everton.

“She does so much more than score goals, the way she takes the hits as well as giving the hits out,” said Taylor.

“She’s also very strong and she’s looking a lot fitter. She’s found a rhythm now in knowing she’s the focal point of the team.”

Everton equalised from a corner when a scramble in the box saw former Toffees keeper Sandy MacIver try to punch the ball away, but it fell straight to Rikke Sevecke who powered a header into the back of the net.

But Shaw was there again to tap in the rebound and restore City’s lead just after half-time when Laura Coombs fired an ambitious shot which smacked off the post.

This is City’s fifth consecutive victory in the Women’s Super League and moves them fourth, level on points with Manchester United in third.

Meanwhile, the loss was Everton’s third consecutive home defeat of the season and leaves them seventh in the WSL.

Arsenal host Manchester United at Emirates Stadium in Saturday’s late kick-off.

City ‘still believe’ they can win league

Replacing England’s top goalscorer Ellen White, who retired after the summer Euros, as the starting number nine at City is no mean feat but it is a mantle Shaw has taken on with ease.

The 25-year-old’s goalscoring form continues to devastate WSL teams as she notched her eighth goal in seven games, the most in the WSL, and caused Everton trouble throughout.

She sent in a cross for Blakstad whose header went over the bar but, with four of Shaw’s goals this season coming from headers, City would have preferred a role reversal.

Shaw also had a goal ruled out for offside when she made a run deep into the Everton half and her shot from near the byeline found the back of the net.

“A lot of her play was very high standard today,” said boss Taylor.

“She was always there, she probably could’ve had a hat-trick today. It’s great she scored but we’re always thinking about how do we support and help her to play more consistently.”

City, whose brilliance has gone somewhat under the radar this season with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United dominating the headlines, have won their past five consecutive league games after back-to-back losses at the start of the campaign.

“We believe we can win the league still. We want to pick off the games one by one,” said Taylor.

“Having spent more time with players you can see the rhythm we’re gaining, the communication is improving, the players are understanding the style more and more.”

They had the chance to extend their lead when a cross ricocheted off the post to Kelly, who attempted an overhead kick which was helped along by Blakstad but her header hit the post.

Unlike last season when City struggled for depth because of injuries, they seem to be clicking with a strong starting line-up and options on the bench.

City will however be without winger Lauren Hemp until at least the derby, Taylor confirmed, after she picked up a knock in the 3-0 win over Reading last time out and was left out of the England squad for the Lionesses’ recent international friendlies.

Toffees still winless against City

Everton have now lost all 13 WSL matches against City – the worst record one team has against another in the competition.

The Toffees have also not managed to win a game this season when conceding the first goal.

They did have chances to get something from the match and the additions of Aggie Beever-Jones and Gio made an impact late on while the Toffees were fairly solid defensively.

With just one goal separating the two sides Everton had chances to level proceedings when Gio was through on goal but opted to square instead where Ouahabi blocked, before Beever-Jones smashed a shot into the side-netting.

A frantic final 10 minutes saw both sides go close as Ramsey was called upon to save a Kelly shot heading for the top corner, after Beever-Jones had another chance to level but her shot was weak.

They were missing perhaps a moment of brilliance from someone like Jess Park, who, after scoring on her England debut last week, was unable to play against her parent club.

Sourced From BBC