by Khadija Shaw’s brace and another Lauren Hemp goal helped Manchester City win the women’s Super League twice with a 3-0 win at Tottenham.
Gareth Taylor’s side had started the new season with consecutive defeats, but followed the dismantling of Leicester last weekend with a clinical performance in the capital.
Shaw scored on both sides of the interval at Brisbane Road bringing his season tally to seven before English striker Hemp caught a late third on a tough day for Spurs, which saw Ellie Brazil leave the field on a stretcher.
Tottenham and Man City faced tight battles during WSL matches last season, but the start of this clash was overshadowed when Brazil suffered a potentially serious injury in the third minute.
Brazil’s summer home signing impressively closed visiting goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck, but she got injured while blocking play.
Brazil’s left leg had to be put in a brace and eventually came out to warm applause on a stretcher after a long delay.
Man City were able to settle better after the reboot with Esme Morgan and Hemp, one of the many Lionesses in the away lineup, who sent shots wide before Deyna Castellanos tested Rebecca Spencer in the home door at 25 ‘.
Spencer parried well over Castellanos and was matched by Yui Hasegawa’s long-range shot even after 40 minutes, but from the resulting corner Taylor’s side took the lead.
Alex Greenwood produced an accurate delivery into the box, which Shaw met on the run and sent a timely header into the bottom corner.
Tottenham returned the lead with their first noteworthy shot, but Ashleigh Neville cut at the far post after Angharad James’ cross to ensure he stayed 1-0 at half-time.
Man City had enjoyed over 70% possession during the first 45 and were able to have their dominance counted early in the second period.
James was expropriated in his own half and Hemp switched to Shaw, who took his shot early and punched into the bottom corner from 25 yards.
The City striker walks away as a sign of exultation and touches the hat-trick per hour, but Molly Bartrip promptly intercepts Kerstin Casparij’s cut.
Meanwhile Shaw had caught a ball in the face from close range but was able to move forward.
Euro 2022 match winner Chloe Kelly, wearing a white headband, tried to enter the scene soon after and saw a 20-yard effort deflected by Asmita Ale.
Shaw wasted another chance with 21 minutes left when he dragged wide after Lauren Coombs pass and briefly lifted the hosts.
Rehanne Skinner saw Evelina Summanen make a dangerous cross before Drew Spence folded, but Man City provided the sucker punch in the 76th minute.
Coombs found Hemp, who overturned Amy Turner before the England ace threw a left-footed shot from the post to wrap up scoring in London with his third goal of the season.
