🔗 Share this article Manchester City Three-Nil Man United: Lauren Hemp on target in Manchester City dominant win. Similar to bad weather swept through the northern region the night before, City swept United aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a emphatic three goal victory for Andrée Jeglertz’s side owing to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a display that truly announced their leadership claims as they consolidated their place at the WSL pinnacle. Successive Setbacks for United This scoreline signalled successive WSL losses for the United manager's side for the initial occasion since last May, placing them a significant margin off the league leaders with their trophy ambitions in serious doubt. Manchester United's capacity to balance domestic and continental football with a thin team has been a hotly discussed subject since they secured entry to the Champions League. Looking at the calendar, it always felt like this was the matchday that would fully examine this fortitude. Sadly for the away side, they seemed fatigued all game, the landmark win against the French side clearly having taken a toll. Lineup Adjustments The United manager had sought to rotate the squad with a several adjustments. Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Leah Galton all brought energy, although the dropping of the on-form Melvine Malard to the bench was questioned. City, in contrast, have fewer workload issues. Jeglertz made a single alteration from the previous win over the Toffees with Hemp making her initial starting appearance since recovering from a physical setback. Overpowering Start The pressure started to accumulate for Skinner and his side from the opening minute. This was a show of the power from Manchester City whose dynamic offense controlled and tore United open with a superb first half performance that saw them net a trio in just over twenty minutes. This left the home team completely dominant and had Manchester United disorganized. Before this fixture, United had conceded just a handful in this WSL season but they collapsed in the presence of the hosts' attacking flair. Opening Threats The warning signs came early when Vivianne Miedema used her power to bundle Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot off target. Hemp was at the heart of everything from the start, using the space left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' right flank. Her passes were creating danger and led to an attempt for Hasegawa that Sandberg scrambled off the line. The Red Devils had multiple sorties forward, their direct style giving them options in the flanks but they could not trouble the City goalkeeper. City, on the other hand, controlled possession, probing their opponents and trying to lure them of their defensive shape. Scoring Spree They converted their dominance with almost the first period played when Fujino won the hosts a corner. A cross to the far post was directed across goal by Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to score. It was City’s 7th headed goal of the campaign. They extended their cushion with two more goals just before the interval. When Rose was permitted to drive through the center from central defence, the field widened for City. The prominent Kerstin Casparij received possession on the right side before sending a pinpoint low cross for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. Shortly later, they had a third after a quick change in possession saw Lauren Hemp allowed the room to strike a shot home from range. Second Half The most obvious substitution came from the United manager at the half-time as Malard entered for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was ineffective to alter the outcome of the match. Ex- Manchester City player Jess Park came most likely to score, striking the woodwork, but the visitors were lacking in ideas and failed to produce a one shot on target. The home side, in contrast, could have increased their cushion when a excellent Vivianne Miedema through ball sent Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it was insignificant to the winning team. Previously unable to defeat any team who placed above them last season, City's side now have wins against Arsenal and Manchester United to put them in a commanding position after the opening fixtures.