Lauren James misses out! Man City hotshot Bunny Shaw secures FWA Women's Footballer of the Year award despite stiff competition from Chelsea & Lionesses star

Shaw became the second City player to win the FWA award since its creation in 2018, following Nikita Parris' triumph in 2019. Her 21 goals in 18 Women's Super League games helped her scoop up this accolade, with James - who has scored 13 WSL goals this season - second and City's Alex Greenwood coming third.

The Jamaican international said: “I am very proud and privileged to have received this award and to be recognised in this way is a special honour. I want to also thank all of my team-mates. They provide me with the chances to score goals and I could not have won this award without them.

“I also owe such a lot to Gareth [Taylor], the rest of the coaching team and everyone else here at City. It’s a pleasure to be part of such a special group.

“Many thanks to all who voted for me and to my fellow nominees. It means such a lot to have won this award. Hopefully the side can now finish off the season in style and give everyone special cause to celebrate.”

Shaw has once again been a hugely influential figure for City. The 27-year-old is out for the rest of the season with a foot injury but with two games remaining of the WSL campaign, the Cityzens have a six-point lead over second-placed Chelsea. Without her efforts, the Blues would probably have won a fifth straight league title.

City can take a big step towards winning their first WSL title since 2016 when they host third-placed Arsenal on Sunday afternoon. After that, they round off their season with an away trip to Aston Villa on May 18.