The Citizens Three Goals to Nil The Red Devils: Hemp finds the net in City comfortable victory.

Much like the recent storm hit the north-west the previous evening, City blew United away at the Etihad. It was a convincing three-nil victory for the City coach's side thanks to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a result that firmly established their leadership claims as they strengthened their position at the top of the table.

Successive Losses for United

This result marked back-to-back WSL setbacks for Skinner's side for the first time since last May, putting them a significant margin off the table toppers with their trophy ambitions in serious doubt.

United’s capability to manage domestic and continental football with a small roster has been a widely debated subject since they earned a place in the Champions League. Looking at the schedule, it always appeared this was the week that would truly test this fortitude. Sadly for the opposition, they appeared weary from start to finish, the landmark win against PSG clearly having taken a toll.

Tactical Shifts

Marc Skinner had attempted to rotate the squad with a a few changes. Toone, Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all added vigor, although the dropping of the on-form Melvine Malard to the substitutes raised a few eyebrows.

The hosts, in comparison, have fewer workload issues. Jeglertz made one change from the previous win over Everton with Hemp making her initial starting appearance since healing from a physical setback.

Dominant First Half

The storm clouds started to gather for the United boss and his side from the kickoff. This was a demonstration of the strength from City whose energetic forward line manipulated and pulled the visitors apart with a superb opening period showing that saw them put three past the keeper in under half an hour.

This put the hosts completely dominant and saw the visitors struggling. In advance of this match, the away side had let in just six in this WSL season but they fell apart in the presence of Manchester City's creative prowess.

Opening Threats

The omens came early when Miedema used her strength to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot off target. Hemp was at the core of everything in the beginning, using the room left by Jayde Riviere down United’s right flank. Her passes were creating danger and led to an chance for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg scrambled off the line.

The Red Devils had multiple forays ahead, their straightforward approach giving them alternatives in the flanks but they could not trouble Yamashita. City, meanwhile, commanded the ball, taunting their opposition and trying to lure them of their structure.

Triple Strike

They converted their dominance 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 Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to score. It was Manchester City's seventh headed goal of the season.

They extended their lead with an additional two goals just before the half-time. When Rose was able to advance through the middle from central defence, the pitch opened up for the hosts. The prominent Casparij received possession on the right side before providing a accurate driven ball for Shaw to force home. Four minutes later, they had a additional score after a rapid shift in the ball saw Lauren Hemp afforded the room to strike a effort home from range.

Second Half

The most obvious change came from the United manager at the break as Melvine Malard was introduced for Terland but by this time it was too late to alter the outcome of the game. Ex- Manchester City player Park came most likely to score, striking the post, but the visitors were creatively abject and did not manage to record a single shot on goal.

The home side, on the other hand, could have added to their advantage when a superb Vivianne Miedema pass sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it mattered little to the hosts. After failing to beat any opponent who ended above them the previous campaign, Jeglertz’s side now have wins against the Gunners and Manchester United to position them in a favorable standing after nine games.