Women’s FA Cup: talking points from the weekend’s fifth-round action

Khadija Shaw returns with a goal, Arsenal avoid an upset and Rugby and Wolves make the most of fifth-round ties

Khadija Shaw provided a defiant response to those who subjected her to horrific racial and misogynistic abuse last week – by scoring an important goal on her return to the Manchester City squad. The striker withdrew from Gareth Taylor’s squad before Thursday’s League Cup semi-final against Arsenal to protect her mental wellbeing. Shaw, who had been out with injury for over a month until the end of January, came off the bench at half-time and scored City’s third in the 3-1 win against Leicester less than 15 minutes later – her first goal since 8 December. “I think that will give her a lot of confidence,” said Taylor, who knows his side’s season will hinge on a remarkable four meetings with Chelsea in the space of 13 days next month – starting with the League Cup final on 15 March, and followed by a two-legged Champions League quarter-final either side of a WSL meeting. Emillia Hawkins

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