🔗 Share this article The Citizens Three Goals to Nil Man United: Hemp scores in Manchester City dominant win. Just as Storm Claudia tore through the north-west the prior day, City swept the visitors aside at the Etihad. It was a convincing three goal triumph for the City coach's side owing to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a result that truly announced their title credentials as they consolidated their position at the WSL pinnacle. Back-to-Back Setbacks for Manchester United This outcome signalled successive WSL defeats for Skinner's side for the first time since spring 2024, putting them a sizable gap off the league leaders with their championship aspirations severely dented. United’s ability to balance league and continental football with a limited team has been a hotly discussed issue since they secured entry to the European competition. Considering the calendar, it always seemed this was the period that would truly test this ability. Unfortunately for the visitors, they looked tired from start to finish, the historic win against PSG clearly having had an impact. Team Changes The United manager had attempted to freshen things up with a handful of adjustments. Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all added energy, although the omission of the in-form Malard to the bench was questioned. City, in opposition, have no such fitness worries. Jeglertz made one adjustment from their most recent win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her return to the lineup since recovering from injury. Commanding Opening Period The pressure started to gather for Skinner and his side from the opening minute. This was a exhibition of the strength from Manchester City whose dynamic forward line played with and dismantled the opposition with a superb initial 45 minutes showing that saw them score three goals in 21 minutes. This left the home team in a commanding position and left United struggling. Prior to this match, the away side had let in just few in this WSL season but they fell apart in the wake of Manchester City's creative prowess. Opening Threats The omens came quickly when Miedema used her power to muscle Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot wide. Hemp was at the heart of everything early on, using the room left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' right flank. Her deliveries were causing problems and led to an attempt for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg kicked off the line. The Red Devils had a number of attacks forwards, their direct style giving them options in the wings but they could not challenge Ayaka Yamashita. Manchester City, in the meantime, commanded the ball, probing their rivals and trying to pull them out of their defensive shape. Scoring Spree They converted their dominance with almost half an hour played when Fujino won the hosts a corner. A delivery to the back post was headed across goal by Shaw for Knaak to nod home. It was Manchester City's seventh headed goal of the campaign. They extended their cushion with another pair of goals just before the interval. When Rose was able to advance through the center from central defence, the play became spacious for City. The key Casparij received possession on the right side before providing a accurate driven ball for Bunny Shaw to tap home. Four minutes later, they had a additional score after a swift turnover in possession saw Hemp allowed the room to drive a effort home from distance. Second Half 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 change the course of the game. Ex- Manchester City player Park came most likely to score, rattling the woodwork, but the away team were lacking in ideas and were unable to register a one shot on target. The hosts, on the other hand, could have increased their advantage when a excellent Vivianne Miedema pass sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it was insignificant to the hosts. After failing to defeat any side who finished above them last season, the manager's side now have wins against Arsenal and United to put them in a strong situation after nine games.