Manchester City’s Women’s Super League title hopes suffered a major blow with top goalscorer Khadija Shaw set to miss the rest of the season with a foot injury, the club confirmed.
Gareth Taylor’s side claimed a comfortable 5-0 win over West Ham United as they returned to the apex of the league table, three points ahead of reigning champions Chelsea, albeit having played an additional game.
Shaw played an instrumental role in the victory, writing her name on the scoresheet twice in the first-half having combined with Lauren Hemp for both inside 21 minutes.
Yet, the Jamaica international went down in the final seconds of the first half and was helped off by medical staff. She was subsequently replaced at half-time by Chloe Kelly and spotted later on crutches and wearing a protective boot.
And despite City boss Taylor insisting post-match that Shaw’s substitution was down to risk aversion, the club have since confirmed that Shaw will miss the season's remaining three fixtures after the injury sustained proved worse than previously believed.
In a statement on Friday, the club said: "Manchester City can confirm that Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw sustained a foot injury during our 5-0 win over West Ham United.
"The news was confirmed following a scan earlier this week, with the Jamaican picking up the injury late in the first half at the Joie Stadium. It means she will miss our final three matches of the Barclays Women’s Super League season as her recovery begins.
"The forward will now begin her rehabilitation at the City Football Academy under the care of the Club’s medical team. Everyone at Manchester City would like to wish Bunny the very best in her recovery."
The absence of Shaw from the competitive fold represents a serious blow to City’s title race with Chelsea. The 27-year-old’s second goal against the Hammers lifted her to 50 WSL goals in just 57 appearances, becoming the second-fastest player to reach the threshold behind Arsenal ’s Vivianne Miedema. The goal also represented the first time any WSL player has managed goal involvements in 10 successive matches.
In total, Shaw has scored a remarkable 69 goals in 81 matches (a club record) in just her third full season at the club. The records have fallen around the striker since her arrival. Her debut season clocked 19 goals from 29 appearances before registering 31 in all competitions the following season.
Sunday’s exploits meant Shaw lifted her present WSL tally to 21 goals this season, seeing her widen her lead in the WSL’s Golden Boot race by a staggering eight goals to her nearest competitor.
The loss of such a powerful and consistent goal threat could be significant with just three league matches left in the title race against Bristol City, Arsenal and Aston Villa, the league clash against Arsenal the most significant in terms of not having Shaw available to call upon.
City are light in options in the No 9 position. While both Kelly and Hemp can operate in the position, their best game tends to be performed on the wings. Meanwhile, Australia international Mary Fowler offers a positive replacement, though her return in front of goal has yet to match that of Shaw’s.
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