🔗 Share this article The Citizens Three Goals to Nil Manchester United: Hemp finds the net in Manchester City dominant win. Similar to bad weather hit the north-west the night before, the home side swept Manchester United aside at the Etihad. It was a statement three goal victory for Andrée Jeglertz’s side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a display that truly announced their title credentials as they consolidated their place at the league summit. Successive Setbacks for United This outcome marked successive WSL defeats for Skinner's side for the initial occasion since spring 2024, putting them a sizable gap off the table toppers with their title hopes severely dented. United’s ability to balance league and European football with a small roster has been a frequently analyzed issue since they qualified for the European competition. Reviewing the schedule, it always seemed this was the week that would fully examine this capability. Sadly for the visitors, they looked tired all game, the memorable win against the French side clearly having had an impact. Team Changes Marc Skinner had sought to freshen things up with a handful of changes. Toone, Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all brought vigor, although the dropping of the high-performing Melvine Malard to the sidelines caused surprise. Manchester City, in opposition, have no similar fitness issues. Andrée Jeglertz made one change from their most recent win over the Toffees with Hemp making her return to the lineup since recovering from a fitness issue. Overpowering Start The storm clouds started to build for the United boss and his squad from the first whistle. This was a exhibition of the power from Manchester City whose dynamic attack controlled and pulled the visitors apart with a sublime first half display that saw them put three past the keeper in under half an hour. This put the hosts in a commanding position and had Manchester United all at sea. Prior to this match, United had allowed just few in this WSL season but they disintegrated in the face of Manchester City's offensive ingenuity. Initial Opportunities The early indicators came soon when Miedema used her physicality to push Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot past the post. Lauren Hemp was at the core of everything early on, taking advantage of the space left by Riviere down the visitors' right side. Her passes were creating danger and led to an opportunity for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg cleared off the line. United had several forays ahead, their direct style giving them alternatives in the wings but they could not challenge Yamashita. Manchester City, on the other hand, commanded the ball, probing their opposition and trying to draw them out of their organization. Goals Galore They made their pressure count with almost half an hour played when Fujino won the home team a corner. A ball to the back post was nodded across goal by Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to head in. It was Manchester City's seventh goal from a cross of the campaign. They extended their cushion with an additional two goals just before the half-time. When Rose was able to maraud through the middle from the back, the play opened up for City. The prominent Kerstin Casparij received possession on the wing before providing a accurate driven ball for Bunny Shaw to tap home. Shortly later, they had a additional score after a quick turnover in possession saw Hemp afforded the space to strike a effort home from outside the box. Second Half The most obvious adjustment came from the United manager at the half-time as Melvine Malard entered for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was futile to shift the momentum of the contest. Former City player Jess Park came closest, striking the upright, but the visitors were offensively poor and failed to record a solitary shot on target. The home side, in contrast, could have increased their advantage when a superb Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it did not affect the result to the winning team. Previously unable to defeat any opponent who finished above them the previous campaign, Jeglertz’s side now have wins against Arsenal and Manchester United to put them in a strong position after nine games.