Khadija Shaw struck late on as Manchester City beat London City Lionesses to move nine points clear at the top of the Women's Super League.

Shaw pounced on a loose ball in the box in the 86th minute, smashing into an empty net to secure a 12th consecutive win for the league leaders as they increased their advantage over reigning champions Chelsea in the title race.

After hitting the woodwork twice in the first half, Freya Godfrey's fierce near-post strike midway through the second half seemed to have earned a deserved point for London City in their first home league game under new head coach Eder Maestre.

However, Manchester City showed the resolve of would-be champions with Shaw's late goal.

Manchester City boss Andree Jeglertz urged his players to "be humble" even though Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor said the WSL title has "probably gone" for her side.

Chelsea are the visitors to Joie Stadium next Sunday (14:30 GMT kick-off) and victory for Jeglertz's side would put them 12 points clear of the current champions.

"There are a lot of games left. All teams will find different ways to challenge us. It's a lot of games," Jeglertz said.

"This situation is fantastic for the team and for me also, because we deserve it.

"We have done a great season so far we just need to keep on going and be humble in this situation, and keep doing what we have done so far."

Winger Kerolin had broken the deadlock in the 11th minute for the visitors, racing on to a neat through ball from Vivianne Miedema before slotting a low finish beyond Elena Lete.

Isobel Goodwin then twice struck the frame of the goal - first racing clear of the visitors' high line only to be denied by a fingertip save from City keeper Ayaka Yamashita who turned the ball on to the post.

Minutes later, Goodwin climbed above Rebecca Knaak at the back post to thunder a header off the crossbar.

Manchester City controlled proceedings for the most part, spurning several chances to claim a second goal before half-time. The best of those came from a Shaw dart to the byeline but her cutback was cleared before Miedema could turn home.

London City began the second half in identical fashion to the first, pushing high and targeting the space in behind opposing right-back Kerstin Casparij.

They fashioned two golden chances before pulling level through Godfrey's thumping strike, but captain Kosovare Asllani blazed over and Wassa Sangare had a close range header blocked by a brilliant defensive recovery from eventual matchwinner Shaw.

The defeat leaves London City in eighth place, eight points off the Champions League places.

The relief was palpable among the Manchester City players and staff when the full time whistle blew at Copperjax Stadium.

London City had put up one almighty test, but the league leaders had somehow found a way to come through it.

They were put under significant pressure for large periods, with London City almost matching them in every markable attacking metric. Manchester City's extra shot on target - four to the Lionesses' three - proved the difference.

Of course, it was taliswoman Shaw who popped up with the winner as time looked to be ticking away.

With champions Chelsea slumping to defeat at home to Arsenal on Saturday, City knew that a win would extend their sizeable lead at the top.

And it took every bit of grit, resilience and winning mentality that they have forged this season under Jeglertz to make it happen.

In doing so, they have all but matched Chelsea's start to their title-winning campaign last term. City have 12 wins and a defeat from 13 games - Chelsea had 12 wins and a draw.

Both London City and Manchester City created two big chances on Sunday. The visitors took both of theirs. That is what champions do.

While London City walked away empty handed from their toe-to-toe tussle with the league leaders, it did provide a marker for how the team are progressing under new coach Maestre.

The gameplan was clear from the off - cede possession to the visitors and hit on the break with pace, and it very nearly came off. The stats showed 29 entries into the final third of the field, 26 touches in their opponents' penalty area and two big chances created from three shots on target.

The margins are incredibly fine at the top level though, and sometimes you need your big players to push them in your favour.

This was evidenced in the most crushing manner of all - Shaw gobbled up Manchester City's second big chance, after Lionesses' skipper Asllani had fired over the top.

Nevertheless, putting the title race frontrunners on the ropes for large spells is a sure sign that Maestre and co are building something good.

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