Khadija Shaw scored a hat-trick and missed a penalty as Manchester City maintained their Women’s Super League title push with a comfortable victory over Everton at Walton Hall Park.
Shaw, now the WSL’s top scorer with nine goals in as many appearances, also had an eighth-minute spot-kick saved by Courtney Brosnan after Lauren Hemp was fouled by Sara Holmgaard.
But the 26-year-old Jamaica international made amends just 55 seconds later when she caught Brosnan out with a superbly executed lob from the edge of the box.
Shaw doubled City’s advantage when she drilled a low shot past Brosnan midway through the first half and Jill Roord slotted in a third from Chloe Kelly’s cut-back to put City in complete control after just 25 minutes.
Aurora Galli’s stunning first-time strike from distance reduced the deficit and rewarded a much-improved second-half display by Everton.
But Shaw ended any hopes of a fightback when she headed in Alex Greenwood’s free-kick to complete her treble after 65 minutes.
Victory moved City above Chelsea at the top of the WSL on goal difference, with the defending champions in action against Bristol City later on Sunday.
City make title statement in impressive win
Following Arsenal’s 1-0 loss to local rivals Tottenham on Saturday, City arrived on Merseyside aware that victory by a three-goal margin would take them top.
City did not take long to assert themselves and, following a frantic start, they set about their task with a relentless intensity and, when required, steely focus.
Beyond the scoreline, it is those characteristics which will have delighted manager Gareth Taylor, whose side extended their winning streak to four WSL matches.
City have hit that run of form after back-to-back defeats to Arsenal and Brighton in November saw them drop eight points in their first six games.
Shaw did not dwell on her penalty miss, producing a sumptuous finish to beat the stranded Brosnan and set the tone for the rest of a first half which City dominated.
Everton had their moments, though, but Italy forward Martina Piemonte was denied by Khiara Keating at close range with the game’s first real opportunity, while the City goalkeeper was grateful to see a dipping cross hit the bar.
The hosts, who remain seventh, were given a second-half lifeline when Galli guided an excellent right-footed strike into the top corner.
However, Shaw’s third goal deflated an Everton side that had appeared to be growing in belief and ensured Taylor’s side pause for the winter break full of confidence.
City are not back in WSL action until they host Liverpool on 21 January, while Everton face another title contender when they travel to Arsenal a day earlier.
Line-ups
Everton Women
Formation 3-4-1-2
- 1Brosnan
- 5Björn
- 20Finnigan
- 23HolmgaardBooked at 57mins
- 19PayneBooked at 61mins
- 10BennisonSubstituted forCampbellat 76′minutes
- 22Galli
- 7Wheeler
- 14SørensenSubstituted forBissellat 86′minutes
- 25SnoeijsSubstituted forDugganat 76′minutes
- 18PiemonteSubstituted forOlesenat 60′minutes
Substitutes
- 3Campbell
- 9Duggan
- 11Bissell
- 13Hart
- 30Wilding
- 41Aherne
- 47Olesen
Man City Women
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 35Keating
- 18CasparijSubstituted forHoughtonat 73′minutes
- 4AleixandriSubstituted forMorganat 45′minutes
- 5Greenwood
- 15Ouahabi
- 25HasegawaSubstituted forMaceat 77′minutes
- 7CoombsSubstituted forParkat 74′minutes
- 11Hemp
- 20Roord
- 9KellyBooked at 62mins
- 21ShawSubstituted forFowlerat 74′minutes
Substitutes
- 3Stokes
- 6Houghton
- 8Fowler
- 10Castellanos
- 14Morgan
- 16Park
- 22MacIver
- 30Mace
- 41Blakstad
Live Text
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Match ends, Everton Women 1, Manchester City Women 4.
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Second Half ends, Everton Women 1, Manchester City Women 4.
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Substitution, Everton Women. Emma Bissell replaces Nicoline Sørensen.
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Attempt blocked. Ruby Mace (Manchester City Women) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Mary Fowler.
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Delay in match because of an injury Megan Campbell (Everton Women).
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Substitution, Manchester City Women. Ruby Mace replaces Yui Hasegawa.
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Substitution, Everton Women. Toni Duggan replaces Katja Snoeijs.
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Substitution, Everton Women. Megan Campbell replaces Hanna Bennison.
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Corner, Manchester City Women. Conceded by Megan Finnigan.
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Substitution, Manchester City Women. Jessica Park replaces Laura Coombs.
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Substitution, Manchester City Women. Mary Fowler replaces Khadija Shaw.
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Substitution, Manchester City Women. Stephanie Houghton replaces Kerstin Casparij.
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Foul by Laura Coombs (Manchester City Women).
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Heather Payne (Everton Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Attempt blocked. Leila Ouahabi (Manchester City Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Laura Coombs.
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Goal! Everton Women 1, Manchester City Women 4. Khadija Shaw (Manchester City Women) header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Alex Greenwood with a cross following a set piece situation.
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Kerstin Casparij (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Karoline Olesen (Everton Women).
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Attempt blocked. Chloe Kelly (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Laura Coombs.