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.

Analysis: Bizarre first half scares champions City

With fresh injuries to contend with and further rotation from manager Jeglertz, City will have been delighted with their start at the Joie Stadium.

They completely tore Brighton apart and were cruising midway through the first half.

Shaw and Hemp's partnership was scintillating, while Charles had a bright start at left-back and Aoba Fujino was busy on the right-hand side.

Brighton could do nothing to stop City and looked disorganised with only Hayes' defensive heroics and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie's agility keeping the scoreline down.

But City's start was so good they became complacent and allowed Brighton back into it as a bizarre first half unfolded.

"I don't think the players did it on purpose, becoming more comfortable. As a team, we just became more comfortable," said Jeglertz.

"It wasn't the same speed on our passes or supporting each other in the same way. We let them in by going down a couple of percentage.

"They scored two goals which was unnecessary. I was a little bit annoyed [at half-time]. There was no yelling. They don't do it on purpose.

"It becomes a little bit automatic. It was more a reminder to go back to everything we did in the beginning and do everything 100%. We bounced back."

Suddenly, Brighton were controlling possession, linking up in midfield and getting their star players on the ball in dangerous areas without much intervention from City.

Kirby's quality was crucial, while Garcia proved to be a threat and Brighton's persistence paid off as they got themselves back into the game and went in at half-time trailing just 3-2.

City's drop-off was not going to go unpunished by manager Jeglertz and he understandably made changes early in the second half, bringing on Mary Fowler and Carlotta Wamser.

But it was not the response the home fans expected as City still lacked fluidity in a second half that left much to be desired.

Brighton had an opportunity to go at City but did not have enough quality to capitalise and will leave Manchester knowing there is still a big gap to bridge despite their tireless efforts.

Speaking about the start to the game, manager Ruiz said: "It was not acceptable. That lack of confidence hurts me a lot because I feel a percentage of responsibility.

"I want to speak with the girls about everything. The quality of Manchester City affects you. Not having the clarity and consistency with the ball affects that.

"I thought we were tired [in the second half] but my players tried their best so I can't complain. I think we just need more clarity on how we can be more efficient." (BBC)