Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw scored twice as her side maintained the pressure on leaders Chelsea in the Women's Super League title race with a thumping win over Leicester.

Shaw gave the hosts a second-minute lead when she headed in Kerstin Casparij's cross after Yui Hasegawa had put the full-back through.

The Jamaica international then scored a 29th-minute second with a similar finish, meeting Leila Ouahabi's ball into the middle with a powerful header.

In cold and windy conditions City added a third through Jess Park's 49th-minute shot from the edge of the area.

Australian striker Mary Fowler claimed City's fourth against the WSL's joint-bottom club with a brilliant close-range volley into the corner just nine minutes later.

The result was a perfect response by the hosts to their 2-0 loss at rivals Chelsea in their last league fixture before the international break.

Gareth Taylor's side are five points behind the reigning champions after Chelsea beat Brighton later on Sunday.

Once again, Shaw shone for City.

The 27-year-old is the division's top scorer and has netted seven goals in her past four matches in all competitions.

When asked about her calm and clinical approach in front of goal afterwards, City manager Taylor said "Bunny does what she does.

"She's the complete striker really. She gives us so much without goals, and then her goals are the cherry on the cake."

Most inside Joie Stadium slid to the edge of their seats every time Shaw received the ball in the final third and, in reference to her nickname 'Bunny', cries of "feed the Bun and she will score" were commonplace.

It is an apt chant. Since her WSL debut in September 2021, she has netted 59 times, at least 23 more than any other player in that period.

And Shaw had more opportunities to complete a record-extending seventh WSL hat-trick, but flicked two efforts wide in the second half.

She was taken off in the 74th minute with City strolling towards a 12th home league win from 13 matches.

If they are to challenge for trophies this season, Shaw will be integral.

The one blow for City was a late injury to Jill Roord, although Taylor said the Dutch midfielder had felt "OK to continue" and was taken off as a precaution.

City welcome St Polten in the Champions League on Thursday, before they travel to Everton in the WSL on Sunday.

Traditionally, Manchester City do very well against Leicester.

The Foxes have never taken a point off them in the WSL, losing all seven games, and only ever scored against the Citizens once in the top flight - a 4-1 loss in 2021.

In gusty conditions the home side's superior physicality blew them away.

Leicester's best chance came right at the end of the first half when a corner ricocheted off defender Sophie Howard at the near post and dropped narrowly wide.

French defender Julie Thibaud also headed over from a set-piece late on as their winless away run stretched to 10 matches.

Amandine Miquel's side, who are only above bottom club Crystal Palace on goal difference, have not won since October and next face Birmingham in the League Cup on Wednesday, before they host WSL leaders Chelsea on Saturday.