🔗 Share this article The Citizens 3-0 Manchester United: Lauren Hemp on target in City dominant win. Just as the recent storm swept through the north-west the prior day, Manchester City swept United away at the their home ground. It was a statement three goal win for Andrée Jeglertz’s side owing to goals from Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a performance that clearly signaled their title credentials as they consolidated their place at the league summit. Successive Setbacks for Manchester United This result represented consecutive league defeats for Marc Skinner’s side for the maiden instance since last May, putting them a significant margin off the league leaders with their championship aspirations hanging by a thread. The Red Devils' capability to manage league and continental football with a thin team has been a frequently analyzed topic since they qualified for the UCL. Looking at the schedule, it always appeared this was the matchday that would seriously challenge this ability. Sadly for the opposition, they seemed tired throughout, the landmark win against the French side clearly having left its mark. Team Changes The United manager had tried to rotate the squad with a a few adjustments. Ella Toone, Terland, Dominique Janssen and Leah Galton all brought freshness, although the omission of the high-performing Melvine Malard to the sidelines raised a few eyebrows. Manchester City, in opposition, have no such workload worries. The City coach made one change from the previous win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her return to the lineup since returning from a physical setback. Commanding Opening Period The trouble started to gather for Skinner and his squad from the opening minute. This was a demonstration of the power from City whose energetic forward line controlled and dismantled the opposition with a sublime initial 45 minutes display that saw them score three goals in 21 minutes. This placed City completely dominant and saw the visitors struggling. Before this encounter, the away side had let in just six in this league campaign but they fell apart in the wake of the hosts' creative prowess. Initial Opportunities The early indicators came early when Vivianne Miedema used her power to bundle Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot past the post. Hemp was at the center of everything from the start, using the gap left by Riviere down United’s right flank. Her crosses were creating danger and led to an chance for Hasegawa that Sandberg cleared off the line. United had a number of forays ahead, their direct style giving them options in the wings but they could not trouble the City goalkeeper. Manchester City, meanwhile, controlled possession, probing their opponents and trying to draw them out of their organization. Goals Galore They made their pressure count with almost half an hour played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A cross to the back post was directed across goal by Shaw for Knaak to score. It was City’s seventh headed goal of the campaign. They added to their lead with an additional two goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was permitted to maraud through the middle from the back, the play became spacious for City. The prominent Kerstin Casparij received possession on the right side before providing a pinpoint ground pass for Shaw to tap home. Shortly later, they had a third after a quick shift in possession saw Hemp allowed the opportunity to strike a shot home from range. Second Half The clearest adjustment came from the United manager at the interval as Melvine Malard entered for Terland but by this time it was ineffective to alter the outcome of the match. Ex- City player Jess Park came closest, striking the upright, but the away team were offensively poor and did not manage to register a solitary shot on goal. The hosts, in contrast, could have extended their advantage when a superb Miedema through ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it was insignificant to the hosts. Previously unable to defeat any side who ended above them last season, Jeglertz’s side now have successes against Arsenal and Manchester United to position them in a strong position after nine matches.