Khadija ShawGetty Images

Khadija Shaw scored on her first start for Manchester City since 8 December

Emma Smith
BBC Sport journalist at Joie Stadium

Khadija Shaw scored two goals on her first start for more than two months to steer Manchester City to a much-needed Women's Super League victory over Liverpool.

Shaw, who suffered a leg injury in December, netted twice in the first half to extend her lead as the WSL's top scorer.

After netting the first, the Jamaica international did a 'black power' salute - raising a single fist aloft while staring down - in response to racist abuse she suffered following City's loss to Arsenal last month.

Jill Roord added a third on the hour mark, before Gracie Prior claimed her first senior goal with a bizarre effort to lift a City side that had lost four of their previous six league matches.

Victory keeps City in touch with the Champions League places, two points off third-placed Arsenal. Liverpool remain seventh, nine points above the relegation zone.

Shaw did not have many chances before the 30th-minute opener, but when the opportunity came she took it with aplomb.

She turned sharply in half a yard of space in the Liverpool area after collecting Mary Fowler's pass and finished across Reds keeper Teagan Micah into the far corner.

And Shaw netted her 11th league goal of the campaign two minutes before half-time, having to control another Fowler pass around waist height, yet still managing to steer a half-volley past Micah.

Roord scored the third, slashing a strike into the bottom corner after her initial volley from the edge of the area was blocked.

And 20-year-old defender Prior, making her first WSL start, added a fourth in the 77th minute when her cross from the right flew over Micah and dropped into the corner.

Khadija Shaw does the 'Black Power' saluteGetty Images

After scoring her first goal, Khadija Shaw raised a fist as a response to the racist abuse she has suffered recently

Shaw boosts City with perfect response after abuse

It has been a tough few weeks for City, but an even tougher period for Shaw.

The 28-year-old's spell out injured coincided with her team's dip in form - they lost three league games in the period between her last league start in early December and the home encounter with Liverpool.

Shaw also received racist abuse on social media following City's last league match, the 4-3 home defeat to Arsenal where she came off the bench. She subsequently sat out the League Cup semi-final win over the same opponents a few days later to protect her mental wellbeing.

The home fans made their feelings known towards Shaw with a huge ovation as her name was announced before kick-off, and they were rewarded with two trademark finishes from the prolific Jamaican.

Both goals were classic Shaw - receiving the ball with her back to goal and plenty of work to do, yet using her blend of physicality and finesse to find the net.

Shaw also made a statement of her own after the first goal, raising her fist aloft in an anti-racism gesture made famous by American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.

Defensive concerns remain as City face tougher tasks

Having lost their last two home WSL matches, conceding four in both games, this victory was crucial for the confidence of Gareth Taylor's side.

They could have gone behind early here too, as a Liverpool side - with four wins in their previous five games - started well.

Leanne Kiernan hit the side-netting following a poor clearance from City keeper Ayaka Yamashita, and Ceri Holland had a shot cleared off the line before the 20-minute mark. Even late on while 4-0 up, Yamashita had to make two smart saves to confirm her clean sheet.

City are clearly still struggling without the injured Alex Greenwood in defence, while usual ever-present Kerstin Casparij also missed out after suffering a concussion against Leicester last weekend.

Even before her goal, Prior impressed for City and the academy product may have to adapt to WSL life sharpish with more opportunities to follow.

City's defence as a whole must toughen up in readiness for tougher tasks ahead, especially a series of meetings with Chelsea in the WSL, League Cup final and Champions League quarter-finals.

Player of the match

J. Roord
7.91
10 J. Roord
7.91
21 K. Shaw
7.88
8 M. Fowler
7.67
6 V. Miedema
7.36
28 G. Prior
6.95
31 A. Yamashita
6.90
25 Y. Hasegawa
6.86
20 A. Fujino
6.80
16 J. Park
6.73
4 Laia Aleixandri
6.70
15 Leila Ouahabi
6.68
27 R. Knaak
6.58
19 L. Blindkilde Brown
6.50
14 Kerolin
6.17
46 L. Murphy
5.83
30 A. Oyama
5.83
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