🔗 Share this article Man City 3-0 Man United: Hemp on target in City comfortable victory. Much like Storm Claudia tore through the northern region the night before, City blew the visitors away at the Etihad. It was a statement three goal victory for Andrée Jeglertz’s side due to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a result that truly announced their leadership claims as they strengthened their place at the top of the table. Back-to-Back Defeats for Manchester United This result marked consecutive WSL setbacks for Skinner's side for the first time since May 2024, placing them a sizable gap off the table toppers with their title hopes hanging by a thread. United’s ability to juggle domestic and continental football with a thin squad has been a frequently analyzed subject since they qualified for the European competition. Looking at the calendar, it always seemed this was the week that would fully examine this capability. Unfortunately for the visitors, they seemed fatigued all game, the memorable win against PSG clearly having had an impact. Lineup Adjustments Skinner had attempted to rotate the squad with a several alterations. Ella Toone, Terland, Janssen and Galton all brought freshness, although the exclusion of the in-form Melvine Malard to the substitutes was questioned. City, in comparison, have no such loading concerns. Jeglertz made one change from last week’s win over the Toffees with Hemp making her return to the lineup since returning from a physical setback. Overpowering Start The trouble started to accumulate for the United boss and his side from the kickoff. This was a demonstration of the power from Manchester City whose dynamic attack played with and pulled the visitors apart with a excellent first half performance that saw them put three past the keeper in under half an hour. This left the home team completely dominant and had Manchester United disorganized. Before this fixture, the away side had allowed just a handful in this WSL season but they fell apart in the presence of the hosts' creative prowess. Early Chances The omens came quickly when Miedema used her physicality to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot past the post. Hemp was at the center of everything early on, taking advantage of the space left by Jayde Riviere down United’s right side. Her deliveries were causing problems and led to an opportunity for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg cleared off the line. The Red Devils had several sorties forwards, their straightforward approach giving them choices in the wings but they could not challenge the City goalkeeper. City, on the other hand, commanded possession, teasing their opposition and trying to draw them out of their defensive shape. Goals Galore They converted their dominance with almost the first period played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a corner. A delivery to the back post was nodded across goal by Shaw for Knaak to nod home. It was Manchester City's 7th header of the season. They added to their advantage with two more goals just before the break. When Rose was able to advance through the center from defense, the pitch opened up for City. The key Kerstin Casparij collected the pass on the wing before sending a accurate low cross for Shaw to bundle home. A short time later, they had a third after a quick turnover in possession saw Lauren Hemp afforded the opportunity to strike a effort home from distance. Second Half The primary substitution came from Skinner at the half-time as Malard was introduced for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was too late to change the course of the contest. Ex- Manchester City player Park came closest, rattling the woodwork, but the visitors were creatively abject and did not manage to produce a solitary shot on target. The home side, meanwhile, could have extended their lead when a delightful Miedema long ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it was insignificant to the winning team. After failing to overcome any opponent who placed above them in the prior term, the manager's side now have victories against Arsenal and United to place them in a commanding position after nine matches.