🔗 Share this article Manchester City 3-0 Manchester United: Hemp finds the net in City dominant win. Much like the recent storm swept through the northern region the night before, City blew United aside at the Etihad. It was a statement 3-0 triumph for Andrée Jeglertz’s side owing to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a display that clearly signaled their leadership claims as they strengthened their standing at the top of the table. Consecutive Losses for Manchester United This result represented successive league losses for the United manager's side for the initial occasion since spring 2024, leaving them a sizable gap off the table toppers with their title hopes hanging by a thread. United’s capacity to juggle domestic and European football with a small team has been a hotly discussed topic since they qualified for the European competition. Reviewing the fixture list, it always seemed this was the week that would seriously challenge this ability. Regrettably for the away side, they looked tired all game, the landmark win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having taken a toll. Team Changes Skinner had tried to freshen things up with a handful of adjustments. Ella Toone, Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all added freshness, although the dropping of the high-performing Melvine Malard to the sidelines raised a few eyebrows. City, in opposition, have no similar workload worries. The City coach made one change from their most recent win over Everton with Hemp making her first start since returning from a fitness issue. Dominant First Half The pressure started to gather for Skinner and his team from the first whistle. This was a demonstration of the strength from City whose dynamic attack controlled and tore United open with a excellent initial 45 minutes showing that saw them net a trio in just over twenty minutes. This left the home team in a commanding position and left United disorganized. Prior to this fixture, the away side had allowed just a handful in this WSL season but they collapsed in the face of City’s offensive ingenuity. Early Chances The omens came soon when Vivianne Miedema used her physicality to bundle Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot off target. Lauren Hemp was at the center of everything in the beginning, using the space left by Riviere down United’s right side. Her passes were creating danger and led to an chance for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg scrambled off the line. The Red Devils had multiple sorties forwards, their long-ball tactic giving them choices in the flanks but they could not challenge Ayaka Yamashita. City, meanwhile, commanded 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 hosts a set-piece. A delivery to the far post was directed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to nod home. It was Manchester City's seventh goal from a cross of the campaign. They added to their lead with two more goals just before the interval. When Rose was able to advance through the midfield from the back, the field opened up for City. The prominent Casparij received possession on the right side before delivering a precise ground pass for Shaw to force home. A short time later, they had a third after a swift turnover in the ball saw Lauren Hemp allowed the opportunity to strike a attempt home from distance. After the Break The clearest change came from Skinner at the break as Melvine Malard entered for Terland but by this time it was too late to alter the outcome of the game. Ex- Manchester City player Park came nearest, hitting the post, but the visitors were offensively poor and failed to record a single shot on goal. The hosts, on the other hand, could have increased their lead when a delightful Miedema pass sent Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it did not affect the result to the winning team. Previously unable to beat any team who ended above them last season, the manager's side now have successes against Arsenal and Manchester United to position them in a favorable situation after the opening fixtures.