By OkayGoal
Khadija Shaw netted a brace as Manchester City held their nerve to defeat Brighton & Hove Albion 3-2 at The Joie Stadium this afternoon.
Niamh Charles netted The Cityzens’ other goal as they resumed Barclays Women’s Super League action following the international break with a win.
Brighton & Hove Albion boss Arturo Ruiz wanted his side to be brave in the North West and Olivia García was through on goal early on, but Jade Rose managed to nudge her off the ball.
Shaw then opened the scoring for Manchester City just five minutes into the game. Lauren Hemp whipped the ball perfectly onto the boot of the forward who poked it into the net.
The Jamaican international picked up the ball and attempted to take aim inside the box again soon after her goal, but Chiamaka Nnadozie managed to get a strong arm to it.
Shaw got the second goal of the afternoon through a powerful header and was once again assisted by Hemp. The delivery was perfect as Hemp sent the ball high, the visiting defence couldn’t get to it, and Shaw directed her header into the net.
A minute later, Charles scored her first goal since signing for Manchester City in the summer. Gabby George tried to clear the ball off the goal-line, but it wasn’t enough as the full-back sent it into the back of the net.
Grace Clinton could have made it four, but her shot headed straight towards Nnadozie.
Brighton & Hove Albion attacker Kiko Seike then fired wide before The Seagulls got a goal back. Fran Kirby sent the ball straight across the face of goal where García was waiting to put it into the net from two yards out.
Ayaka Yamashita made an impressive block and tipped the ball over to deny Garcia a second goal before the visitors did reduce the arrears further. Caitlin Hayes was completely unmarked and she headed home from a corner.
Aoba Fujino had an opportunity to grab a fourth goal for Manchester City before half-time, but Nnadozie got down low and made a save while Manuela Vanegas attempted a strike from 25 yards out for the visitors, but her effort was off target.
The second half failed to produce the same level of attacking quality. Shaw had an opportunity to complete a hat-trick, but her shot was well blocked by Nnadozie.
In the end, The Cityzens did enough to claim a 3-2 victory and extend their 100-percent winning start in this season’s Barclays Women’s Super League.
Manchester City return to action next Sunday when they travel to neighbours Manchester United while Brighton & Hove Albion play host to West Ham United on Saturday.
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