🔗 Share this article The Citizens 3-0 Manchester United: Hemp on target in City comfortable victory. Much like Storm Claudia hit the northwest the previous evening, City blew Manchester United away at the Etihad Stadium. It was a statement three-nil victory for their manager's side thanks to goals from Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a display that truly announced their title credentials as they reinforced their position at the top of the table. Consecutive Defeats for Manchester United This result signalled successive league setbacks for Skinner's side for the first time since last May, placing them a sizable gap off the league leaders with their trophy ambitions in serious doubt. The Red Devils' ability to manage domestic and continental soccer with a limited roster has been a frequently analyzed topic since they qualified for the European competition. Looking at the schedule, it always felt like this was the period that would truly test this ability. Regrettably for the visitors, they appeared weary from start to finish, the landmark win against PSG clearly having had an impact. Tactical Shifts Marc Skinner had attempted to freshen things up with a several alterations. Toone, Terland, Janssen and Galton all provided vigor, although the exclusion of the in-form Melvine Malard to the bench was questioned. The hosts, in opposition, have no such loading concerns. The City coach made one adjustment from their most recent win over Everton with Hemp making her initial starting appearance since recovering from a physical setback. Dominant First Half The storm clouds started to accumulate for Skinner and his team from the first whistle. This was a show of the strength from Manchester City whose energetic attack controlled and dismantled the opposition with a sublime opening period display that saw them score three goals in 21 minutes. This put the hosts completely dominant and had Manchester United struggling. Before this encounter, the away side had conceded just six in this WSL season but they disintegrated in the wake of City’s creative prowess. Initial Opportunities The omens came early when Miedema used her physicality to push Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot past the post. Lauren Hemp was at the center of everything from the start, exploiting the gap left by Jayde Riviere down United’s right side. Her crosses were causing problems and led to an opportunity for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg kicked off the line. The Red Devils had several forays forwards, their long-ball tactic giving them alternatives in the flanks but they could not challenge the City goalkeeper. City, meanwhile, commanded the ball, taunting their opponents and trying to pull them out of their structure. Scoring Spree They converted their dominance with almost thirty minutes played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a corner. A ball to the back post was nodded across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to nod home. It was Manchester City's seventh headed goal of the season. They increased their advantage with two more goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was permitted to maraud through the middle from central defence, the field widened for City. The influential Kerstin Casparij collected the pass on the right before sending a accurate driven ball for Shaw to tap home. Four minutes later, they had a third after a rapid change in the ball saw Lauren Hemp allowed the space to drive a attempt home from range. Second Half The most obvious change came from Skinner at the interval as Malard was introduced for Terland but by this time it was futile to shift the momentum of the game. Ex- Manchester City player Park came closest, striking the upright, but the away team were offensively poor and failed to produce a solitary shot on goal. The hosts, in contrast, could have increased their cushion when a excellent Miedema long ball sent Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it was insignificant to the hosts. Previously unable to overcome any team who finished above them the previous campaign, the manager's side now have victories against Arsenal and Manchester United to position them in a favorable standing after nine games.