Man City built a 3-0 lead in under 20 minutes of WSL soccer action on Sunday, but Brighton made them sweat for every point in their 3-2 thriller at Joie Stadium.
Bunny Shaw Powers Man City Goals in 1st Half
All three of Manchester City women's goals came in the first-half blitz led by top-scorer Bunny Shaw.
The Jamaican forward finished a Lauren Hemp cross from the left in the fifth minute, then made it 2-0 with a header off another Hemp delivery just 11 minutes later. The brace brought her WSL tally to this season to seven. Teammate Niamh Charles piled on moments later with a driven strike from inside the box, her first since joining City.
Brighton, though, answered back fast. Olivia Garcia got the Seagulls on the board in the 31st minute before Caitlin Hayes nodded in off a set piece six minutes later, narrowing the gap to 3-2 before halftime.
Despite sustained second-half pressure from Brighton, goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita and a disciplined City backline held firm. Shaw nearly completed her hat trick twice, only for keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie to deny her both times.
The result keeps Manchester City Women atop the WSL standings with a clean 18 points from six matches, two clear of Chelsea. Brighton, the last club to beat City at the end of last season, came closer than most to ending that run.
