Man City manager Gareth Taylor wasn’t surprised by the form of Khadija Shaw after she netted twice in the 3-0 WSL win away to Tottenham Hotspur.
Shaw, 25, has really stepped up since Ellen White hung up her boots both domestically and internationally after the European Championship success over the summer with the Lionesses.
Having netted a consolation in the opening day Aston Villa defeat before being shut out by Chelsea and Millie Bright particularly in matchday two, Shaw's start to the season went a little under the radar.
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However, four goals in her last two encounters against Leicester City last weekend and Tottenham this weekend have put her on the map as being one of the best WSL performers after only four matches played.
“She’s done really well. She had a good season last season, some people overlooked that a little bit,” manager Taylor reflected post-match on the star of the show on Saturday afternoon at Leyton Orient’s Brisbane Road stadium. “She’s taken over wearing the No 9 for her club, she’s a young player and has got lots more to come I believe and she can score goals. She’s proven that previously, and she’s proven it here.”
He then added on the overall team performance: “It was a really good performance. We were brave in our play.
“We broke down their pressure, they had some decent pressure at the top of the pitch with their front three, but once we found our rhythm - which I think has been key for us - we started to find Yui [Hasegawa], Esme [Morgan] and Kirsten [Caspari].
“I thought there was only one team for me who was going to win it, and it was probably just by how many.”
The player in question herself put this electric start more down her confidence shift which has been aided by the quality service from the wings supplied by Lionesses duo Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly.
Shaw told Sky Sports post-match: “For sure, it starts on the training pitch and we have been practising, making the movements and the type of crosses where Lauren is different from Chloe.
“It comes on the training pitch but they are two incredible players and I’m just lucky enough to be on the end of the crosses when they come in.”
City now have Blackburn Rovers in the Continental Cup this midweek and Liverpool next weekend in the WSL. Two fixtures that Shaw herself will be licking her lips at with the potential for more goals likely.
