Records topple when Bunny Shaw is around. Her latest, a 12 minute 37 second hat-trick, is the fastest treble in Women’s Super League history. It’s simultaneously the earliest ever completed. Two records in one fell swoop, that is how Shaw rolls.
Spurs’ Shaw Nightmare Continues
By scoring three against Tottenham, Shaw has achieved another remarkable feat. In each of the last four seasons running Spurs have had to suffer the ignominy of a Shaw hat-trick on their visit to Manchester City. Four.
That is no coincidence. Things like this don’t just happen by chance. What Shaw can do in the penalty area is a class above what all of her peers are capable of; the aerial dominance, the strength, the intuition and intelligence. It all combines to create a scoring machine.
You would think by now Spurs would know better.
Unmatched in the Penalty Area
The Jamaica international has been scoring this way for years now and still no defender can match her. Most don’t even get close.
It’s mad given how much evidence there is of Shaw’s style, a poacher inside the six-yard box and particularly deadly between the width of the posts. The central zones where she profits most have not changed from season to season. She deliberately targets the penalty spot, there are clear patterns to the way she arrives there.
Most noticeable is her movement with her back to the ball, almost always dragging defenders away from the space she intends to attack. Her first two goals against Spurs from corners were avoidable – all set-piece goals are avoidable.
Wingers Key to City’s Attack
Once you allow Shaw to make first contact or give her a sniff from the second phase inside the ‘golden zone’ there is no stopping her. The quality of Alex Greenwood’s delivery from a dead ball should also be credited here.
More important still is the role of City’s insatiable wingers. As soon as Lauren Hemp or Kerolin have possession Shaw knows there is a possible chance for her score, so the trigger guides her initially away from the ball. She does this same action twice in the run up to City’s third, turning her back on play and then running out-to-in.
Man City top by 8.