Manchester City beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 in their first game at the Etihad this season. A modest crowd watched as Bunny Shaw opened the scoring in the first minute of the game, forcing a mistake by Spurs’ defence. Shaw’s second game as she headed it home in the 15th minute, an assured display by City’s record goal scorer. Goals in quick succession from Jill Roord and Bunny Shaw - getting a hat-trick - sealed the win for the hosts.
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Bunny Shaw is inevitable
Bunny Shaw is magic. Every single time, she finds the back of the net. Scoring in the first minute, a sore mistake from Spurs’ defence, Shaw added a second after just 15 minutes, this time with her head. A third goal, in the second half, marked another hat-trick for Shaw in her City career. It’s rare that such a prolific goal scorer maintains their ability across as many seasons as Shaw has.
What makes Shaw so good is that whether the ball comes to her left foot, right foot or head, she’s there and she can put it away. Shaw oozes confidence, not in an arrogant way, but enough that she is feared by opposition. Nothing new has been learnt but today’s clash was just a reminder of Shaw’s ability in front of goal.
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Spurs’ expectations may need adjusting
Spurs can play good football. They’re a capable team who superseded all expectations last season, reaching the FA Cup Final. The highs of beating Arsenal in the North London Derby to the low of being ultimately thumped in the FA Cup Final painted two very different pictures of this team. Since that loss, Spurs have not completely looked the part. Significant loses to Chelsea and Manchester United – add City to the list too – have shown that last season was an example of overperformance.
Expectations probably need to be adjusted. City are a side who have ploughed through the start of the season, balancing UWCL and WSL football, at times with ease. The hosts were forced to rotate with their next UWCL game on Tuesday, but the standards have by no means slipped with this City side. Spurs struggled to create opportunities throughout the game and while City were not completely ruthless in their performance, Spurs struggled to create and maintain a cohesive defence against them.
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City get the job done - even if they aren't always clinical
Goal difference is an interesting conversation to have in November when the league wraps up in May. However, too often have teams lost out on titles because of goal difference, Manchester City being a victim of this. Being 2-0 after just 15 minutes was the perfect opportunity for City to carry their early momentum into the rest of the first half. Somewhat uninspiring football prevailed, with minimal chances and City were still 2-0 at half time.
But, despite the lack of energy in the latter part of the first half, City's recovery in the second half showed precisely why they have been so good so far this season. Jill Roord, who has been a huge asset to the side since returning from her ACL injury, netted in the 66th minute to put City 3-0 up. Capitalising on Spurs' frustration, Shaw scored her third of the day, another hat-trick to her name.
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Spurs’ problems were everywhere
Defence was the obvious issue for Spurs, conceding four and making some poor errors, allowing City to stride past. But, it was not just the defence at fault. The lack of creativity in the midfield and the lack of attack from the front line hugely hindered the teams’ overall performance.
Energy was a significant missing factor to their performance, struggling to keep up with City at times. Spurs are a star-studded side with some technical talents in their ranks such as Jess Naz and Martha Thomas. However, City were the better outfit while Spurs looked disorganised and tired.
