The Citizens Three Goals to Nil Manchester United: Hemp on target in City stroll.

Just as the recent storm tore through the north-west the previous evening, City blew Manchester United aside at the their home ground. It was a emphatic 3-0 triumph for Andrée Jeglertz’s side due to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a result that truly announced their title credentials as they strengthened their place at the top of the table.

Consecutive Defeats for Manchester United

This scoreline signalled consecutive WSL losses for Marc Skinner’s side for the maiden instance since last May, placing them a significant margin off the table toppers with their trophy ambitions hanging by a thread.

Manchester United's capability to balance league and continental football with a small team has been a widely debated issue since they earned a place in the European competition. Considering the schedule, it always seemed this was the week that would seriously challenge this capability. Regrettably for the visitors, they appeared fatigued throughout, the memorable win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having left its mark.

Lineup Adjustments

The United manager had tried to make changes with a a few changes. Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all provided freshness, although the dropping of the high-performing Melvine Malard to the substitutes raised a few eyebrows.

Manchester City, in contrast, have fewer loading concerns. The City coach made a single alteration from their most recent win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her return to the lineup since recovering from injury.

Commanding Opening Period

The pressure started to build for the United boss and his squad from the opening minute. This was a demonstration of the quality from City whose dynamic attack controlled and tore United open with a excellent opening period performance that saw them put three past the keeper in just over twenty minutes.

This put the hosts in a commanding position and saw the visitors struggling. Prior to this match, United had let in just six in this domestic competition but they disintegrated in the wake of the hosts' offensive ingenuity.

Early Chances

The warning signs came early when Vivianne Miedema used her physicality to push Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot wide. Hemp was at the heart of everything in the beginning, taking advantage of the room left by Riviere down the visitors' right flank. Her deliveries were creating danger and led to an attempt for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg kicked off the line.

The Red Devils had a number of forays forwards, their straightforward approach giving them choices in the flanks but they could not trouble the City goalkeeper. City, on the other hand, commanded possession, teasing their rivals and trying to lure them of their structure.

Scoring Spree

They converted their dominance with almost the first period played when Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A delivery to the far post was headed across goal by Shaw for Knaak to score. It was Manchester City's 7th headed goal of the term.

They added to their cushion with another pair of goals just before the interval. When Jade Rose was allowed to advance through the midfield from defense, the play became spacious for City. The key Kerstin Casparij received possession on the right before sending a accurate low cross for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. Shortly later, they had a third goal after a quick turnover in the ball saw Hemp allowed the room to drive a effort home from outside the box.

Second Half

The most obvious change came from the United manager at the interval as Malard entered for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was too late to change the course of the match. Former Manchester City player Jess Park came nearest, rattling the post, but the away team were lacking in ideas and failed to register a single shot on target.

The hosts, on the other hand, could have added to their advantage when a delightful Vivianne Miedema pass sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it mattered little to the winning team. Previously unable to beat any opponent who ended above them the previous campaign, Jeglertz’s side now have wins against Arsenal and United to put them in a commanding standing after the opening fixtures.