🔗 Share this article Manchester City Three-Nil Manchester United: Lauren Hemp on target in City comfortable victory. Much like bad weather swept through the north-west the previous evening, the home side swept the visitors aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a statement 3-0 victory for Andrée Jeglertz’s side owing to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a display that firmly established their title credentials as they reinforced their standing at the WSL pinnacle. Consecutive Losses for Manchester United This result represented back-to-back Women's Super League losses for Marc Skinner’s side for the maiden instance since spring 2024, leaving them a significant margin off the top team with their trophy ambitions in serious doubt. United’s capability to juggle league and continental football with a thin squad has been a frequently analyzed topic since they earned a place in the Champions League. Looking at the schedule, it always felt like this was the matchday that would fully examine this capability. Sadly for the opposition, they seemed fatigued throughout, the memorable 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, Janssen and Galton all provided vigor, although the exclusion of the in-form Malard to the bench was questioned. The hosts, in contrast, have no similar fitness concerns. Andrée Jeglertz made one change from last week’s win over Everton with Hemp making her initial starting appearance since healing from injury. Overpowering Start The storm clouds started to gather for Skinner and his squad from the kickoff. This was a exhibition of the strength from Manchester City whose dynamic offense controlled and tore United open with a excellent initial 45 minutes display that saw them net a trio in under half an hour. This left the home team completely dominant and saw the visitors struggling. In advance of this fixture, the away side had let in just few in this league campaign but they fell apart in the wake of Manchester City's attacking flair. Early Chances The warning signs came soon when Vivianne Miedema used her physicality to push Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot past the post. Lauren Hemp was at the core of everything from the start, exploiting the room left by Riviere down United’s right side. Her deliveries were creating danger and led to an attempt for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg scrambled off the line. The Red Devils had a number of forays forward, their long-ball tactic giving them options in the wings but they could not test Ayaka Yamashita. City, on the other hand, dominated possession, probing their opposition and trying to lure them of their defensive shape. Scoring Spree They made their pressure count with almost the first period played when Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A ball to the back post was directed across goal by Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to score. It was City’s seventh header of the campaign. They increased their cushion with an additional two goals just before the interval. When Rose was permitted to drive through the center from central defence, the play became spacious for City. The key Casparij picked the ball up on the right before providing a accurate driven ball for Shaw to tap home. A short time later, they had a additional score after a swift turnover in the ball saw Lauren Hemp afforded the room to fire a effort home from distance. Final Period The clearest change came from the United manager at the break as Malard entered for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was futile to alter the outcome of the contest. Former Manchester City player Jess Park came nearest, striking the woodwork, but the visitors were creatively abject and failed to record a single shot on goal. The home side, meanwhile, could have extended their advantage when a delightful Miedema pass sent Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it was insignificant to the winning team. Having failed to defeat any opponent who finished above them last season, City's side now have successes against the Gunners and United to put them in a strong situation after nine games.