🔗 Share this article Man City Three-Nil Man United: Hemp finds the net in Manchester City comfortable victory. Just as bad weather hit the northern region the previous evening, City blew United away at the Etihad. It was a statement three goal triumph for Andrée Jeglertz’s side owing to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a performance that firmly established their title credentials as they strengthened their position at the league summit. Consecutive Defeats for United This outcome signalled successive Women's Super League defeats for the United manager's side for the first time since May 2024, placing them a significant margin off the table toppers with their title hopes in serious doubt. The Red Devils' capability to juggle domestic and continental football with a limited roster has been a widely debated topic since they earned a place in the UCL. Reviewing the calendar, it always appeared this was the period that would fully examine this fortitude. Unfortunately for the visitors, they looked tired from start to finish, the memorable win against PSG clearly having had an impact. Tactical Shifts The United manager had tried to freshen things up with a several changes. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all added freshness, although the dropping of the on-form Malard to the substitutes raised a few eyebrows. The hosts, in opposition, have no similar fitness issues. Andrée Jeglertz made one adjustment from the previous win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her return to the lineup since recovering from a fitness issue. Overpowering Start The storm clouds started to build for Skinner and his squad from the kickoff. This was a demonstration of the strength from Manchester City whose energetic forward line manipulated and pulled the visitors apart with a sublime first half showing that saw them net a trio in under half an hour. This put the hosts in a commanding position and left United all at sea. Before this match, the away side had let in just six in this domestic competition but they disintegrated in the wake of City’s offensive ingenuity. Early Chances The early indicators came quickly when Miedema used her strength to push Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot off target. Hemp was at the core of everything in the beginning, exploiting the gap left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' wing. Her crosses were causing problems and led to an attempt for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg kicked off the line. The Red Devils had multiple attacks forwards, their straightforward approach giving them choices in the wide areas but they could not challenge Ayaka Yamashita. City, in the meantime, commanded the ball, teasing their opponents and trying to lure them of their defensive shape. Scoring Spree They made their pressure count with almost the first period played when Aoba Fujino won the hosts a corner. A cross to the far post was nodded across goal by Bunny Shaw for Knaak to nod home. It was Manchester City's 7th goal from a cross of the season. They extended their advantage with another pair of goals just before the break. When Rose was permitted to advance through the center from the back, the field became spacious for City. The key Kerstin Casparij received possession on the right side before delivering a accurate ground pass for Shaw to force home. Four minutes later, they had a third after a quick turnover in the ball saw Lauren Hemp afforded the space to drive a attempt home from distance. Second Half The clearest adjustment came from Skinner at the interval as Melvine Malard came on for Terland but by this time it was futile to change the course of the contest. Ex- Manchester City player Park came closest, rattling the woodwork, but the visitors were offensively poor and were unable to produce a solitary shot on target. The home side, on the other hand, could have extended their lead when a delightful Miedema pass sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it was insignificant to the winning team. After failing to defeat any team who finished above them the previous campaign, City's side now have successes against Arsenal and United to put them in a strong situation after nine matches.