Manchester City Three Goals to Nil The Red Devils: Lauren Hemp scores in City comfortable victory.

Similar to the recent storm tore through the north-west the night before, Manchester City overwhelmed United away at the their home ground. It was a convincing three-nil win for Andrée Jeglertz’s side owing to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a display that truly announced their championship potential as they strengthened their standing at the WSL pinnacle.

Successive Losses for Manchester United

This outcome marked back-to-back Women's Super League defeats for Marc Skinner’s side for the initial occasion since last May, leaving them seven points off the league leaders with their title hopes severely dented.

Manchester United's capacity to balance league and continental football with a thin roster has been a hotly discussed issue since they qualified for the Champions League. Looking at the fixture list, it always appeared this was the matchday that would fully examine this ability. Unfortunately for the opposition, they appeared weary throughout, the memorable win against the French side clearly having taken a toll.

Lineup Adjustments

Skinner had tried to make changes with a several alterations. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all brought freshness, although the dropping of the high-performing Malard to the bench was questioned.

City, in opposition, have no similar fitness issues. Jeglertz made one change from last week’s win over the Toffees with Hemp making her return to the lineup since recovering from a physical setback.

Overpowering Start

The storm clouds started to accumulate for Skinner and his side from the kickoff. This was a demonstration of the quality from City whose energetic forward line played with and dismantled the opposition with a superb opening period performance that saw them score three goals in under half an hour.

This put the hosts firmly in control and left United all at sea. Prior to this match, United had let in just a handful in this domestic competition but they collapsed in the presence of Manchester City's attacking flair.

Opening Threats

The warning signs came soon when Vivianne Miedema used her power to bundle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot wide. Lauren Hemp was at the heart of everything from the start, exploiting the gap left by Riviere down the visitors' wing. Her crosses were creating danger and led to an chance for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg scrambled off the line.

The Red Devils had multiple forays forward, their long-ball tactic giving them options in the wings but they could not test the City goalkeeper. City, on the other hand, commanded possession, teasing their opposition and trying to lure them of their defensive shape.

Scoring Spree

They turned chances into goals with almost the first period played when Fujino won the home team a corner. A ball to the far post was nodded across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to nod home. It was Manchester City's 7th goal from a cross of the term.

They extended their cushion with two more goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was allowed to maraud through the center from central defence, the play opened up for City. The prominent Casparij collected the pass on the right before sending a precise low cross for Shaw to bundle home. Shortly later, they had a additional score after a quick shift in possession saw Lauren Hemp given the opportunity to drive a shot home from outside the box.

After the Break

The clearest change came from the United manager at the break as Melvine Malard came on for Terland but by this time it was too late to change the course of the contest. Ex- Manchester City player Park came nearest, rattling the woodwork, but the away team were offensively poor and did not manage to produce a single shot on goal.

The hosts, in contrast, could have extended their cushion when a delightful Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it was insignificant to the winning team. Previously unable to defeat any side who placed above them in the prior term, City's side now have victories against the Gunners and Manchester United to put them in a favorable situation after nine games.