Manchester City extended their lead at the top of the Women's Super League to six points as they overcame a stubborn Leicester City to claim a 3-0 away victory.

A Khadija Shaw double and goal for substitute Kerolin in the final 16 minutes earned City a ninth win in 10 league games this term, their best ever start to a WSL season.

Having already missed six good chances, Shaw finally struck when she pounced on a botched clearance from Celeste Boureille and finished low past Janina Leitzig.

Nine minutes later the Jamaican headed in from Lauren Hemp's cross to secure maximum points.

Kerolin added a third in injury-time after running onto Shaw's through ball.

For 73 minutes the highest scoring side in the WSL this term were thwarted by a combination of poor finishing and dogged defensive work.

City averaged over 75% possession but failed to convert any of their 14 shots in the first half, the majority of which were off target.

WSL top scorer Shaw cut a frustrated figure as she missed four presentable opportunities before the break, including a far-post sitter that she sliced wide when left unmarked.

Vivianne Miedema was twice denied by smart saves from Janina Leitzig, the second of which came after she got past Leicester captain Janice Cayman with an audacious nutmeg.

It felt like City were running out of ideas, but the second-half introduction of Brazilian winger Kerolin injected much-needed energy.

It was her cross that forced Boureille's mistake, one which Shaw was only too happy to accept.

City's six-point lead at the top of the table will be cut to three if Chelsea defeat Everton on Sunday afternoon. Leicester remain ninth in the standings with six points.

For 73 minutes City lacked the offensive sharpness expected of title challengers, but in the end their undeniable quality shone through.

It takes an elite mindset not to be affected by missing chance after chance, but for most of the match it looked like Shaw would travel back to Manchester frustrated.

The odds were in her favour - before the match City led the WSL for goals scored during the first half (11), while Leicester had conceded the most in the opening 45 minutes of matches (nine).

But she and her team-mates didn't let their heads drop after a frustrating first half, meaning she was alert enough to capitalise on Boureille's error.

Shaw's second goal was her 28th headed goal in the WSL, a league record.

"I think in a back five they [Leicester] make things very difficult, especially when the ball comes from the wide areas, but for me I back myself against anyone, so I just have to be ready when the ball's coming in," Shaw told Sky Sports.

City also had Kerolin to thank for the energy and directness she brought from the bench.

The 26-year-old certainly made the most of her first WSL minutes since September due to injury, and was fully deserving of her late goal as Shaw turned provider with a perfectly weighted through ball.

She could have won a late penalty when bundled over by Olivia McLoughlin, but referee Phoebe Cross wasn't interested.

"The players showed a lot of patience, we did a good game and created a lot of chances," City boss Andree Jeglertz told Sky Sports.

"We didn't score until late on but the players kept on following the game plan, keeping the faith and kept going, there was no frustration. I'm very pleased with the performance."

Despite the scoreline, there are plenty of positives for Leicester manager Rick Passmoor to take away.

For over an hour the Foxes showed exactly how he has improved a side inherited from Amandine Miquel on the eve of the new season.

Leicester were organised at the back and difficult to break down, and put their bodies on the line when City did fashion a sight of goal.

In the second half the hosts picked and chose their moments to press and counter-attack, and against a lesser side than City, it might have worked.

While sharper finishing would have put the game to bed much earlier, Leicester should have no problems moving up the table if they can marry their strong defensive play with more incisive counter-attacking.

Manchester City will face Aston Villa at the Joie Stadium on Sunday, 14 December (11:55 GMT), while Leicester will host London City Lionesses on the same day (11:55 GMT).