Title race tightens as Chelsea draw and Manchester City rout West Ham

Chelsea were held 1-1 by Everton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday in a Women's Super League fixture, while Manchester City beat West Ham 5-0 at Joie Stadium the same day. Those results left City two points clear of Chelsea at the top of the WSL ahead of the clubs' meeting next Saturday.

The two sides had been level on points before kickoff, with Chelsea sitting above City on goal difference thanks to a superior goal margin built across earlier matches. By full-time Chelsea had surrendered that advantage despite dominating possession and chances at Stamford Bridge. Khadija Shaw, a summer transfer target for Chelsea, scored a hat-trick for City and has 12 goals in nine league appearances this season, accounting for 44% of Manchester City's WSL strikes. Shaw is two away from equalling Vivianne Miedema's all-time WSL record of 97 goals.

Everton, ranked eighth at the start of the day, managed no shots on target and recorded just three touches in Chelsea's penalty area. Chelsea registered 20 shots, an expected goals total of 2.14 and 55 touches in the Everton box but were unable to convert their superiority into a win. Lucy Bronze's own goal ultimately cost Chelsea three points. "We weren't quite on the same page today but I cannot fault anyone's effort," Chelsea captain Erin Cuthbert said. "It's just one of those days where we're not at the races and we can't have too many of those if we want to be in a title race."

Sonia Bompastor's side lacked creativity and resorted to hopeful crosses and shots from range against a resilient Everton. The Blues were further weakened by the absence of Lauren James, who was ruled out for at least five games after sustaining a hamstring injury in last weekend's 6-0 victory over Charlton. "We need to move on quickly," Bompastor said. "This group has a lot of experience with that and we will go into the next game really prepared. "When we are doing well, it's good not to go too high - when it doesn't work, it's good not to get too low."

In Manchester, City waited for an opener and, once Shaw converted a composed finish, the remainder of the game opened up and she completed a hat-trick as City ran out 5-0 winners. The victory narrowed Chelsea's goal difference advantage and moved City two points clear at the summit. Shaw and Lauren Hemp combined for the first goal, the fifth time they have combined in the WSL this season, and Hemp said: "It's hard to explain. We just click. It's a connection we've built over time. "It's not always perfect, but with the standards we set for each other, naturally it's going to come."

Goals from Aoba Fujino and Iman Beney against West Ham illustrated that City have other attacking options beyond Shaw. On squad depth, the City boss Jeglertz told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Our depth is going to be crucial. We can put players on that can bring us to the next level. "We are going to need all players. Five games in two weeks. Some players are starting, some are finishing, some are supporting from the side. "We are all very important for success and this showed in this game."

City have won their past two games against Chelsea, including last season's FA Cup semi-final, and the clubs are set to meet next Saturday. Jeglertz, when asked about Chelsea dropping points, said: "At the moment, I don't care about it so much. "Of course I don't want them to win, but we also know that to win this league, we have to battle the whole way. "If we win all our games, we'll be fine but if we struggle, then of course it doesn't matter what other teams do."

Chelsea can reclaim top spot with a victory over Manchester City next Saturday, and City will have Champions League commitments in midweek, as Shaw noted: "There's a lot of games to play, a lot of twists and turns," she told Sky Sports. "One game at a time. We've got Champions League midweek and then we go again. We have to focus on the task ahead and not get too complacent."