🔗 Share this article Manchester City Three Goals to Nil Manchester United: Lauren Hemp on target in City dominant win. Similar to Storm Claudia hit the northwest the night before, the home side swept Manchester United aside at the Etihad. It was a emphatic three goal triumph for their manager's side due to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a performance that truly announced their championship potential as they strengthened their place at the league summit. Successive Losses for Manchester United This scoreline signalled successive Women's Super League defeats for the United manager's side for the first time since May 2024, leaving them a significant margin off the top team with their title hopes hanging by a thread. United’s capacity to balance league and European soccer with a thin roster has been a frequently analyzed topic since they secured entry to the Champions League. Looking at the calendar, it always appeared this was the matchday that would truly test this ability. Unfortunately for the opposition, they seemed tired throughout, the memorable win against PSG clearly having taken a toll. Team Changes Skinner had tried to make changes with a a few alterations. Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all added energy, although the dropping of the in-form Melvine Malard to the substitutes was questioned. The hosts, in contrast, have no such workload issues. The City coach made one adjustment from last week’s win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her return to the lineup since recovering from a physical setback. Overpowering Start The storm clouds started to build for Skinner and his team from the opening minute. This was a exhibition of the strength from Manchester City whose energetic attack controlled and dismantled the opposition with a sublime first half performance that saw them put three past the keeper in under half an hour. This put the hosts in a commanding position and saw the visitors all at sea. Prior to this match, United had allowed just six in this domestic competition but they fell apart in the face of City’s attacking flair. Early Chances The omens came early when Vivianne Miedema used her strength to push Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot past the post. Lauren Hemp was at the center of everything in the beginning, taking advantage of the room left by Riviere down the visitors' wing. Her crosses were creating danger and led to an chance for Hasegawa that Sandberg cleared off the line. United had multiple forays forwards, their direct style giving them alternatives in the wide areas but they could not trouble Yamashita. City, meanwhile, controlled possession, teasing their rivals and trying to pull them out of their structure. Scoring Spree They converted their dominance with almost thirty minutes played when Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A delivery to the back post was directed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Knaak to score. It was City’s 7th headed goal of the campaign. They extended their advantage with two more goals just before the interval. When Rose was allowed to drive through the center from central defence, the play opened up for the hosts. The prominent Casparij picked the ball up on the right side before sending a accurate ground pass for Bunny Shaw to force home. Shortly later, they had a third after a quick turnover in the ball saw Hemp given the opportunity to strike a attempt home from distance. Second Half The clearest substitution came from Skinner at the half-time as Malard was introduced for Terland but by this time it was futile to shift the momentum of the game. Former Manchester City player Park came closest, hitting the upright, but the visitors were lacking in ideas and failed to register a single shot on target. The home side, meanwhile, could have added to their advantage when a excellent Vivianne Miedema through ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it mattered little to the hosts. After failing to defeat any side who placed above them in the prior term, Jeglertz’s side now have victories against Arsenal and Manchester United to position them in a commanding situation after nine matches.