Vivianne Miedema and Sam Kerr have dominated the Women’s Super League’s Golden Boot in the last four seasons, but this time around there looks set to be a new name on the trophy. Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw and Aston Villa’s Rachel Daly currently sit at the top of the scoring charts with just two goals separating them.
Shaw has come on leaps and bounds since her debut campaign in the WSL when she scored nine goals as City finished third. She is now leading the line with distinction and has already surpassed Lauren Hemp, who was City’s top scorer last term with 10 goals. Her all-round game and contribution to City’s title challenge is highlighted by her 17 goals and five assists. Her team-mates are also benefitting from her settling into the side, forming a formidable trio up front with Lionesses Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp.
Daly has had an impressive first season at Aston Villa, playing further forward than she did for England during their European title run. She has scored 15 goals and assisted three in the league, making a huge difference to Villa who were seriously lacking a goal threat last season with Remi Allen finishing as their highest scorer on three goals.
Both Shaw and Daly have consistently found the net throughout the league season and are also top of the Women’s FA Cup scoring charts, with seven and six goals respectively. They will face similar challenges in their final four matches of the campaign, coming up against three of the same teams in Reading, Liverpool and Manchester United. If it comes down to the final day, Villa face a tough visit to title challengers Arsenal, while Man City host sixth-placed Everton. Who will come out on top? Only time will tell.