Shaw hat-trick heroics ‘like watching video game’

If Khadija Shaw is on your team, you have a very good chance of winning.

She’s that good, her Manchester City team-mate Sam Coffey felt like she was “watching a video game” with Shaw the star of the show.

“I said earlier that I feel like I’m playing Fifa. You can score three goals like that in 20 minutes?” the bewildered US international said after their emphatic 5-2 win over Spurs.

It was actually three goals in 13 minutes – the fastest hat-trick in Women’s Super League history – and City fans are so desperate to keep Shaw at the club that, each time she scored, they chanted “sign her up” on repeat.

The Jamaica international’s contract is due to expire in the summer and, while City have held positive discussions over a renewal, the wait is agonising for supporters.

Will she sign a new deal? Manager Andree Jeglertz says he “hopes so” but for now, he is enjoying working with her and it’s easy to see why.

“She is a very important player. Hopefully [she will sign], but we will see,” said Jeglertz.

“We talk about the goals but you can also see how she’s defending, how she’s pressing and setting up other players.

Shaw’s speedy hat-trick beat the previous record set by ex-Arsenal striker Kelly Smith in 2014 when she scored three goals in 16 minutes against Bristol Academy.

Remarkably, it was Shaw’s fourth successive hat-trick against Tottenham in the WSL at Joie Stadium.

It took her tally to 18 goals in 18 WSL matches this season and 16 goal involvements (15 goals, one assist) against Tottenham during her five-year spell in England.

Her exploits are likely to take her to a third successive WSL Golden Boot at the end of the campaign and she will surely be in the running for Player of the Year.

“It was a good afternoon, I must say. Especially off the back of the [0-0 draw with Aston Villa] last week,” said Shaw. “I have amazing players around me and I just try to do the best I can at the top end of the pitch.”

While her goalscoring hits the headlines, it is Shaw’s work-rate off the ball that really caught Coffey’s attention.

“I feel like what you see, is what you get. She is so electric, she’s so good and she’s so dominant,” added Coffey.

“I loved her defensive efforts [against Tottenham]. When she is pressing, I think she is one of the best pressing number nines in the world.

“She’s been such a joy to play with. I’ve obviously respected her for years but now getting to know her and be her team-mate is a privilege.”

For any opponent, facing Shaw is one of the biggest challenges in football.

Tottenham boss Martin Ho conceded his side could do little to stop her, other than try to prevent the ball reaching her.

Does she incite fear in opposing players?

“I wouldn’t say it’s fear but it’s definitely doubt,” said Ho. “She is the best forward in the world by a mile.

“She scores with her feet, with her head, has good link-up play and good movement.

Two of Shaw’s goals on Saturday were headers as she commanded the Tottenham box and ruthlessly converted set-pieces and crosses.

Spurs’ makeshift defence – missing starting centre-backs Clare Hunt and Toko Koga at the Asian Cup – were clearly second best to her.

She was withdrawn to a standing ovation in the second half and there were sarcastic cheers as the stadium announcer teased the player of the match.

It could be nobody but Shaw, and her team-mates know they have a serious weapon in a team aiming to secure their first WSL title in a decade.

City’s lead at the top of the table is eight points. They know three wins from their final four games will secure the title and they could win it earlier if rivals drop points.

“It’s great having her in the team. She finishes off so many chances,” said City team-mate Lauren Hemp.

“It gives us confidence, especially as wingers. It’s nice when you have players who can score the quickest hat-trick in WSL history.”