🔗 Share this article Manchester City 3-0 The Red Devils: Lauren Hemp finds the net in City stroll. Similar to bad weather tore through the northwest the night before, City overwhelmed Manchester United aside at the their home ground. It was a statement three goal win for their manager's side thanks to goals from Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a performance that truly announced their title credentials as they reinforced their position at the league summit. Consecutive Losses for United This scoreline signalled successive WSL losses for the United manager's side for the first time since May 2024, placing them a sizable gap off the table toppers with their trophy ambitions hanging by a thread. United’s capability to manage league and continental football with a thin squad has been a hotly discussed topic since they secured entry to the European competition. Reviewing the fixture list, it always felt like this was the matchday that would fully examine this ability. Sadly for the visitors, they seemed weary all game, the historic win against the French side clearly having taken a toll. Tactical Shifts The United manager had tried to rotate the squad with a a few adjustments. Ella Toone, Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all brought vigor, although the dropping of the in-form Malard to the sidelines was questioned. The hosts, in opposition, have no similar fitness issues. Andrée Jeglertz made one change from last week’s win over the Toffees with Hemp making her initial starting appearance since healing from injury. Overpowering Start The trouble started to accumulate for the United boss and his side from the opening minute. This was a show of the strength from Manchester City whose energetic forward line controlled and tore United open with a sublime first half performance that saw them net a trio in just over twenty minutes. This placed City completely dominant and had Manchester United struggling. In advance of this match, United had conceded just few in this domestic competition but they fell apart in the wake of City’s offensive ingenuity. Opening Threats The early indicators came early when Miedema used her power to bundle Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot wide. Lauren Hemp was at the heart of everything from the start, exploiting the space left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' wing. Her crosses were posing a threat and led to an chance for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg kicked off the line. The Red Devils had several forays forward, their straightforward approach giving them options in the wide areas but they could not test Yamashita. City, meanwhile, controlled possession, taunting their rivals and trying to pull them out of their defensive shape. Triple Strike They made their pressure count with almost thirty minutes played when Fujino won the hosts a corner. A cross to the back post was directed across goal by Shaw for Knaak to nod home. It was City’s seventh headed goal of the term. They extended their lead with two more goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was able to drive through the center from the back, the pitch widened for the hosts. The influential Kerstin Casparij collected the pass on the wing before sending a precise ground pass for Bunny Shaw to tap home. Four minutes later, they had a third goal after a swift shift in the ball saw Lauren Hemp afforded the room to strike a effort home from outside the box. After the Break The clearest change came from the United manager at the half-time as Melvine Malard entered for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was too late to alter the outcome of the match. Ex- City player Jess Park came closest, rattling the post, but the visitors were offensively poor and did not manage to record a single shot on target. The hosts, on the other hand, could have added to their lead when a excellent Miedema through ball sent Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it did not affect the result to the hosts. After failing to overcome any opponent who finished above them the previous campaign, City's side now have victories against the Gunners and Manchester United to put them in a commanding situation after nine games.