Manchester City 3-0 Manchester United: Lauren Hemp finds the net in City dominant win.

Much like bad weather swept through the north-west the prior day, Manchester City swept United aside at the their home ground. It was a emphatic three goal win for the City coach's side due to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a display that firmly established their leadership claims as they consolidated their standing at the top of the table.

Consecutive Losses for United

This result represented consecutive league defeats for the United manager's side for the maiden instance since last May, putting them seven points off the table toppers with their trophy ambitions severely dented.

The Red Devils' capacity to manage domestic and European football with a small team has been a frequently analyzed issue since they earned a place in the European competition. Considering the schedule, it always seemed this was the week that would fully examine this fortitude. Unfortunately for the visitors, they appeared fatigued throughout, the landmark win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having had an impact.

Lineup Adjustments

Marc Skinner had sought to make changes with a handful of changes. Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Leah Galton all provided energy, although the dropping of the on-form Malard to the substitutes caused surprise.

The hosts, in opposition, have fewer fitness issues. Jeglertz made a single alteration from last week’s win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her first start since healing from injury.

Dominant First Half

The storm clouds started to gather for Skinner and his squad from the first whistle. This was a exhibition of the power from Manchester City whose dynamic forward line controlled and tore United open with a superb first half showing that saw them score three goals in just over twenty minutes.

This put the hosts firmly in control and left United struggling. Before this match, United had let in just six in this domestic competition but they collapsed in the face of Manchester City's creative prowess.

Opening Threats

The warning signs came quickly when Vivianne Miedema used her power to muscle Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot off target. Lauren Hemp was at the core of everything from the start, exploiting the space left by Riviere down United’s wing. Her passes were creating danger and led to an attempt for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg cleared off the line.

The Red Devils had multiple forays ahead, their straightforward approach giving them alternatives in the wide areas but they could not challenge Yamashita. City, on the other hand, dominated possession, probing their opposition and trying to draw them out of their organization.

Scoring Spree

They converted their dominance with almost the first period played when Aoba Fujino won the hosts a set-piece. A ball to the far post was headed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Knaak to nod home. It was Manchester City's 7th headed goal of the campaign.

They increased their lead with two more goals just before the interval. When Jade Rose was able to advance through the center from central defence, the pitch opened up for the hosts. The prominent Kerstin Casparij received possession on the right side before providing a precise driven ball for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. A short time later, they had a third after a swift shift in possession saw Hemp afforded the opportunity to fire a effort home from distance.

Final Period

The clearest substitution came from the United manager at the half-time as Melvine Malard was introduced for Terland but by this time it was ineffective to shift the momentum of the game. Former Manchester City player Jess Park came nearest, rattling the woodwork, but the away team were offensively poor and were unable to record a single shot on goal.

The hosts, on the other hand, could have added to their advantage when a superb Vivianne Miedema pass sent Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it was insignificant to the hosts. After failing to defeat any team who finished above them the previous campaign, City's side now have victories against Arsenal and Manchester United to put them in a favorable standing after nine games.