Manchester City Women were 3-0 up inside 17 minutes at the Joie Stadium, and by half-time they were hanging on. They beat Brighton 3-2 in the Women's Super League, stayed unbeaten and kept their lead at the top, but they made a very comfortable game uncomfortable.
Shaw and Hemp tear Brighton apart
Khadija Shaw scored twice in 11 minutes, linking up with winger Lauren Hemp for both, and England full-back Niamh Charles drilled in the third. City could easily have had more, with Shaw, Hemp and Grace Clinton all coming close before the half-hour. Brighton looked disorganised, and only Caitlin Hayes' defending and some sharp work from goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie kept the score down.
Then City took their foot off
After half an hour City's intensity dropped and Brighton began to settle. Olivia Garcia poked home a Fran Kirby cut-back, and then Hayes, so busy defending earlier, headed in to make it 3-2 at the break. Manager Andree Jeglertz said afterwards that his players had simply become too comfortable, and that there was no shouting at half-time, only a reminder to do what they had done at the start. He brought on Mary Fowler and Carlotta Wamser at the restart. The second half was scrappy, Shaw's low effort the best chance, and City did just enough.
Brighton take some positives
Brighton have won only once under new boss Arturo Ruiz, who called the start unacceptable. Kirby showed her quality, Garcia was aggressive and Kiko Seike was a threat, but for long periods they looked a long way off City's level. City, meanwhile, will have been happy with the result if not the second half. Hemp topped the BBC player ratings from the match.
Match facts: Manchester City 3-2 Brighton, Joie Stadium, Sunday 18 October 2026, Women's Super League. City: Shaw 2 (two goals in 11 minutes) and Charles, all three inside the first 17 minutes. Brighton: Garcia and Hayes (both before half-time). Man City remain unbeaten and top of the table.
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