Manchester City continued their winning run in the Women's Super League with victory over Brighton - but they almost threw away a commanding lead.

The defending champions were 3-0 up within 17 minutes at the Joie Stadium and it looked like it could be a long afternoon for Brighton.

Khadija Shaw scored twice, linking up with winger Lauren Hemp for both goals, before England full-back Niamh Charles drilled in a third.

City should have been out of sight as Shaw, Hemp and Grace Clinton all came close to adding to their tally before the half an hour mark.

But City suddenly took their foot off the gas and Brighton began to settle.

Mistakes crept in and City's intensity dropped considerably as Brighton saw more of the ball and started to take advantage.

Olivia Garcia poked home a Fran Kirby cut-back, before Caitlin Hayes' header reduced City's lead to just one goal.

That rocked Andree Jeglertz's side and they went in at half-time knowing they should have been on their way to a comfortable three points.

They did have chances in a scappy second half with Shaw's low effort the best of them, but in the end, City did just enough to hold on and got away with their lapses in concentration.

Brighton can take positives from their response and individual performances - Garcia was aggressive, Kirby showed her quality and Kiko Seike was a threat - but they still looked far off City's level for large spells and could not trouble them in a placid second half.

It was the result City needed to maintain their lead at the top of the table, while Brighton have won just once under new boss Arturo Ruiz.

More to follow.

Second Half begins Manchester City Women 3, Brighton and Hove Albion Women 2.

Attempt missed. Kiko Seike (Brighton and Hove Albion Women) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Fran Kirby.