🔗 Share this article The Citizens 3-0 Man United: Lauren Hemp scores in Manchester City stroll. Much like bad weather tore through the north-west the night before, the home side swept Manchester United aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a statement 3-0 win for their manager's side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a performance that clearly signaled their title credentials as they reinforced their position at the league summit. Consecutive Losses for Manchester United This scoreline represented successive league losses for the United manager's side for the initial occasion since last May, placing them a sizable gap off the top team with their title hopes hanging by a thread. Manchester United's capability to juggle league and European soccer with a small team has been a hotly discussed topic since they secured entry to the UCL. Looking at the schedule, it always felt like this was the period that would seriously challenge this ability. Sadly for the visitors, they looked weary throughout, the historic win against PSG clearly having taken a toll. Lineup Adjustments The United manager had tried to rotate the squad with a a few adjustments. Ella Toone, Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all brought vigor, although the exclusion of the on-form Malard to the bench was questioned. The hosts, in comparison, have no similar fitness concerns. Jeglertz made a single alteration from the previous win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her return to the lineup since healing from a fitness issue. Commanding Opening Period The storm clouds started to gather for the United boss and his side from the opening minute. This was a show of the quality from Manchester City whose energetic attack played with and pulled the visitors apart with a superb first half showing that saw them score three goals in 21 minutes. This put the hosts completely dominant and had Manchester United struggling. Before this match, United had conceded just a handful in this WSL season but they disintegrated in the presence of City’s offensive ingenuity. Initial Opportunities The early indicators came early when Vivianne Miedema used her physicality to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot past the post. Hemp was at the center of everything early on, using the room left by Riviere down United’s wing. Her crosses were causing problems and led to an opportunity for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg kicked off the line. United had a number of attacks ahead, their long-ball tactic giving them alternatives in the flanks but they could not challenge Yamashita. City, meanwhile, commanded the ball, probing their opponents and trying to pull them out of their defensive shape. Goals Galore 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 Shaw for Knaak to head in. It was Manchester City's 7th goal from a cross of the campaign. They extended their lead with two more goals just before the half-time. When Jade Rose was permitted to advance through the midfield from central defence, the play widened for the hosts. The influential Casparij collected the pass on the wing before sending a accurate low cross for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. Shortly later, they had a additional score after a quick turnover in the ball saw Hemp afforded the room to fire a attempt home from distance. Final Period The primary change came from Skinner at the interval as Melvine Malard came on for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was futile to alter the outcome of the game. Ex- City player Jess Park came most likely to score, striking the upright, but the visitors were lacking in ideas and did not manage to produce a one shot on target. The hosts, meanwhile, could have added to their cushion when a superb Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it was insignificant to the hosts. Having failed to beat any team who placed above them last season, the manager's side now have victories against the Gunners and Manchester United to place them in a commanding position after the opening fixtures.