🔗 Share this article The Citizens Three Goals to Nil Manchester United: Lauren Hemp on target in Manchester City dominant win. Just as the recent storm tore through the northwest the night before, Manchester City overwhelmed the visitors aside at the Etihad. It was a convincing 3-0 win for the City coach's side thanks to goals from Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a result that truly announced their leadership claims as they reinforced their place at the top of the table. Successive Defeats for Manchester United This result marked consecutive Women's Super League losses for the United manager's side for the first time since last May, placing them seven points off the league leaders with their championship aspirations hanging by a thread. United’s capacity to balance domestic and continental soccer with a limited squad has been a frequently analyzed issue since they earned a place in the European competition. Reviewing the schedule, it always appeared this was the matchday that would fully examine this fortitude. Unfortunately for the visitors, they looked tired all game, the memorable win against the French side clearly having had an impact. Team Changes Skinner had sought to rotate the squad with a a few adjustments. Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all provided energy, although the dropping of the high-performing Melvine Malard to the sidelines was questioned. The hosts, in opposition, have no such fitness issues. Jeglertz made one adjustment from last week’s win over Everton with Hemp making her initial starting appearance since healing from a fitness issue. Commanding Opening Period The storm clouds started to build for the United boss and his squad from the kickoff. This was a show of the power from Manchester City whose dynamic attack manipulated and pulled the visitors apart with a excellent first half performance that saw them score three goals in under half an hour. This left the home team in a commanding position and had Manchester United all at sea. Prior to this fixture, United had allowed just six in this league campaign but they disintegrated in the wake of the hosts' attacking flair. Early Chances The omens came early when Vivianne Miedema used her strength to muscle Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot past the post. Lauren Hemp was at the core of everything early on, taking advantage of the room left by Riviere down United’s wing. Her deliveries were creating danger and led to an attempt for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg scrambled off the line. The Red Devils had several sorties forward, their long-ball tactic giving them alternatives in the wide areas but they could not trouble Ayaka Yamashita. City, on the other hand, dominated possession, taunting their opponents and trying to draw them out of their defensive shape. Scoring Spree They converted their dominance with almost half an hour played when Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A delivery to the back post was headed across goal by Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to score. It was Manchester City's 7th headed goal of the campaign. They extended their lead with an additional two goals just before the half-time. When Rose was permitted to advance through the center from central defence, the play became spacious for the hosts. The influential Kerstin Casparij collected the pass on the right side before sending a precise low cross for Shaw to force home. A short time later, they had a additional score after a swift turnover in possession saw Hemp afforded the space to drive a effort home from range. Final Period The most obvious change came from the United manager at the interval as Melvine Malard entered for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was ineffective to shift the momentum of the game. Former City player Park came most likely to score, hitting the post, but the visitors were offensively poor and did not manage to produce a single shot on target. The hosts, in contrast, could have increased their advantage when a superb Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it did not affect the result to the winning team. After failing to beat any team who placed above them last season, the manager's side now have successes against Arsenal and United to put them in a favorable situation after nine games.