Shaw nets winning goal - City move closer to WSL title

MANCHESTER, England:

Manchester City took a potentially decisive step toward the WSL title on Sunday, grinding out a 2-1 victory over London City Lionesses that stretched their lead at the summit to nine points.

After Chelsea's loss to Arsenal a day earlier, City seized the opportunity with a late, gritty winner from Jamaican forward Khadija "Bunny" Shaw, who netted in the 86th minute.

"Job done," Shaw told reporters post-match, summing up a performance that was more resilient than refined.

"It was a difficult game today, but we've shown throughout the season that we never give up. We came out here knowing what we had to do, and we got the job done."

For long stretches, City laboured against a stubborn London City side, but Shaw's decisive intervention secured a win that may ultimately prove priceless.

With just nine games remaining and 27 points left to play for, City now sit firmly in the driver's seat. Even a defeat in next Sunday's headline clash with Chelsea would leave them six points clear, boasting a vastly superior goal difference.

The numbers tell a story of relentless dominance. City are riding a 12-game winning streak in the WSL, a run sparked after an opening-day loss to Chelsea.

They have scored in 27 consecutive league matches, a club record, and average 2.7 goals per game this season.

At the heart of this offensive juggernaut is Shaw, whose 13 league goals this campaign make her the overwhelming favourite to claim a third consecutive Golden Boot.

- CMC