🔗 Share this article The Citizens Three Goals to Nil The Red Devils: Hemp scores in City dominant win. Just as the recent storm hit the north-west the previous evening, the home side swept the visitors away at the Etihad. It was a statement three-nil triumph for Andrée Jeglertz’s side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a result that truly announced their title credentials as they reinforced their position at the top of the table. Back-to-Back Defeats for Manchester United This scoreline marked successive league defeats for Marc Skinner’s side for the maiden instance since May 2024, putting them a sizable gap off the league leaders with their title hopes hanging by a thread. The Red Devils' capacity to balance league and European football with a thin squad has been a frequently analyzed issue since they secured entry to the Champions League. Reviewing the fixture list, it always seemed this was the period that would truly test this capability. Regrettably for the visitors, they looked tired from start to finish, the memorable win against PSG clearly having had an impact. Team Changes Skinner had sought to make changes with a several changes. Ella Toone, Terland, Janssen and Galton all added freshness, although the exclusion of the in-form Melvine Malard to the sidelines was questioned. The hosts, in contrast, have no similar loading worries. Andrée Jeglertz made a single alteration from their most recent win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her initial starting appearance since returning 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 quality from City whose energetic attack played with and tore United open with a superb initial 45 minutes display that saw them net a trio in 21 minutes. This put the hosts completely dominant and saw the visitors all at sea. In advance of this fixture, the away side had let in just six in this league campaign but they collapsed in the wake of Manchester City's attacking flair. Initial Opportunities The warning signs came early when Vivianne Miedema used her strength to push Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot wide. Hemp was at the heart of everything early on, taking advantage of the room left by Jayde Riviere down United’s wing. Her passes were creating danger and led to an opportunity for Hasegawa that Sandberg kicked off the line. The Red Devils had several sorties forward, their straightforward approach giving them alternatives in the flanks but they could not test Yamashita. Manchester City, on the other hand, controlled the ball, taunting their opponents and trying to draw them out of their structure. Goals Galore They converted their dominance with almost half an hour played when Fujino won the hosts a set-piece. A delivery to the far post was headed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to nod home. It was City’s 7th goal from a cross of the season. They increased their advantage with another pair of goals just before the break. When Rose was able to maraud through the middle from central defence, the pitch widened for the hosts. The key Kerstin Casparij collected the pass on the right side before sending a pinpoint driven ball for Shaw to bundle home. Four minutes later, they had a third after a swift change in the ball saw Lauren Hemp afforded the opportunity to strike a effort home from distance. After the Break 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 shift the momentum of the game. Former Manchester City player Jess Park came nearest, striking the post, but the visitors were lacking in ideas and were unable to record a solitary shot on target. The home side, in contrast, could have increased their cushion when a delightful Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it did not affect the result to the winning team. Previously unable to overcome any team who finished above them last season, the manager's side now have wins against the Gunners and Manchester United to position them in a strong standing after the opening fixtures.