🔗 Share this article Manchester City Three Goals to Nil Man United: Lauren Hemp on target in City dominant win. Just as bad weather swept through the north-west the previous evening, the home side swept United aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a emphatic three-nil victory for Andrée Jeglertz’s side thanks to goals from Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a performance that firmly established their leadership claims as they strengthened their place at the top of the table. Back-to-Back Losses for Manchester United This outcome represented successive league defeats for Skinner's side for the initial occasion since last May, placing them a significant margin off the top team with their trophy ambitions in serious doubt. United’s capacity to balance league and European football with a limited roster has been a frequently analyzed subject since they earned a place in the Champions League. Reviewing the calendar, it always appeared this was the week that would fully examine this fortitude. Regrettably for the opposition, they seemed fatigued throughout, the landmark win against the French side clearly having left its mark. Lineup Adjustments Marc Skinner had tried to make changes with a several adjustments. Ella Toone, Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all added vigor, although the dropping of the in-form Melvine Malard to the sidelines raised a few eyebrows. Manchester City, in opposition, have no similar workload issues. Andrée Jeglertz made one adjustment from last week’s win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her first start since returning from a fitness issue. Dominant First Half The trouble started to accumulate for Skinner and his side from the opening minute. This was a demonstration of the quality from City whose energetic forward line played with and pulled the visitors apart with a superb initial 45 minutes showing that saw them score three goals in just over twenty minutes. This put the hosts completely dominant and left United struggling. Before this encounter, United had conceded just a handful in this league campaign but they collapsed in the face of the hosts' offensive ingenuity. Opening Threats The early indicators came quickly when Miedema used her power to push Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot past the post. Lauren Hemp was at the core of everything from the start, using the space left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' right side. Her crosses were causing problems and led to an opportunity for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg scrambled off the line. The Red Devils had several attacks forwards, their direct style giving them alternatives in the flanks but they could not test the City goalkeeper. City, in the meantime, controlled possession, taunting their opposition and trying to lure them of their defensive shape. Triple Strike They converted their dominance with almost thirty minutes played when Fujino won the home team a corner. A cross to the far post was headed across goal by Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to head in. It was Manchester City's seventh headed goal of the campaign. They added to their advantage with an additional two goals just before the interval. When Jade Rose was permitted to advance through the center from central defence, the play widened for City. The key Casparij picked the ball up on the right side before delivering a precise driven ball for Bunny Shaw to tap home. Four minutes later, they had a third after a swift shift in the ball saw Hemp afforded the space to drive a shot home from outside the box. Final Period The primary adjustment came from the United manager at the break as Malard entered for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was too late to alter the outcome of the match. Former Manchester City player Jess Park came nearest, rattling the woodwork, but the away team were creatively abject and were unable to produce a solitary shot on goal. The home side, meanwhile, could have extended their cushion when a excellent Miedema long ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it mattered little to the winning team. Previously unable to beat any team who finished above them in the prior term, Jeglertz’s side now have victories against Arsenal and United to place them in a favorable situation after nine matches.