Shaw hat-trick sends Manchester City two points clear as Chelsea draw

Manchester City moved two points clear at the top of the Women's Super League on Saturday after Khadija Shaw's hat-trick helped secure a 5-0 home victory over West Ham. Chelsea, who had started the day ahead of City on goal difference, were held 1-1 by Everton at Stamford Bridge, according to BBC Sport's report on the two matches.

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The results changed the order at the summit after the leading sides began their games level on points. City took all three at Joie Stadium while Chelsea collected only one, and the five-goal margin also reduced the goal-difference advantage Chelsea had brought into the weekend. Aoba Fujino and Iman Beney joined Shaw on the scoresheet for the reigning champions.

Shaw's treble brought her league tally this season to 12 goals in nine appearances. BBC Sport reported that she was now two goals short of matching Vivianne Miedema's all-time WSL total of 97. Her contribution represented 44% of City's league goals this season, while the opener against West Ham marked the fifth time Shaw and Lauren Hemp had combined for a WSL goal during the campaign.

Chelsea's draw came despite a substantial advantage in attacking opportunities. They registered 20 shots and 55 touches inside Everton's penalty area, compared with only three touches in the Chelsea box for the visitors. Everton did not record a shot on target, but a Lucy Bronze own goal helped them leave with a point. BBC Sport put Chelsea's expected-goals total at 2.14, underlining the chances they created without securing victory.

Chelsea were without Lauren James, who had sustained a hamstring injury during the previous weekend's 6-0 win over Charlton and was ruled out for at least five games. Captain Erin Cuthbert said the players had struggled to find the same understanding on the pitch, while defending their effort. She acknowledged that Chelsea could not afford many similar performances if they wanted to remain in the title race.

City manager Andree Jeglertz emphasised the importance of his whole squad during a schedule of five matches in two weeks. Shaw also cautioned against complacency, pointing to the number of league games still remaining. The teams' next league meeting is on November 14, when Chelsea will have an opportunity to reverse Saturday's change at the top.