‘Talent and character’: Houghton’s Shaw assessment | OneFootball

City legend Steph Houghton has summed up Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw in two words: talent and character.

The Jamaican became the first women’s player in our professional history to score 100 goals for the Club in our 6-1 win over Aston Villa at the Joie Stadium, adding another three to her tally for good measure.

It’s the latest remarkable milestone in a City career which has been defined by goals, with Shaw now seven goals clear of her nearest rivals as she pursues a third successive WSL Golden Boot.

Houghton, our record appearance holder and former team-mate of Shaw’s, says the Jamaican has more than earned the swathe of plaudits coming her way.

She said: “It’s an unbelievable achievement, to score any goal for City is incredible but to do it in such quick time as well.

“As a team-mate she deserves all of it, because I know how much hard work she’s put into it.

“Talent and character are what sums up Bunny as a player. She has an unbelievable talent in terms of scoring goals and knowing where the goal is, but also character to come over to England, a new culture, a new league and fit into the team so seamlessly.

“She’s a big personality as well, she should be so proud of everything she’s done on and off the pitch.”

Shaw has now bagged 103 goals for City in just 120 appearances, with Houghton witnessing 62 of those as Club captain across the striker’s first three seasons in Manchester.

But it’s a strike from the 2025/26 campaign which stands out for her as a personal favourite from the Jamaican’s extensive collection of goals in blue.

“I loved this season’s diving header against Brighton at the back post,” our former centre-back recalls.

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“It just summed her up in terms of her aerial ability and the fact she’ll throw herself at anything to score the goal.

“Her aerial presence is probably something you could compare with [Erling] Haaland in the sense that he always wants to get on the back shoulder of opponents.

“That goal was special but there’s bene so many I’ve probably forgotten some which she’ll hate!”