The Citizens Three-Nil The Red Devils: Hemp scores in City dominant win.

Similar to the recent storm hit the northwest the previous evening, the home side overwhelmed United aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a statement three goal triumph for the City coach's side thanks to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a display that firmly established their championship potential as they consolidated their place at the league summit.

Consecutive Losses for Manchester United

This result marked consecutive league setbacks for Skinner's side for the maiden instance since last May, putting them a significant margin off the top team with their title hopes severely dented.

Manchester United's ability to balance domestic and continental soccer with a thin roster has been a hotly discussed subject since they secured entry to the European competition. Considering the schedule, it always appeared this was the matchday that would seriously challenge this fortitude. Unfortunately for the opposition, they appeared weary all game, the historic win against PSG clearly having had an impact.

Team Changes

Skinner had attempted to freshen things up with a a few adjustments. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all added vigor, although the dropping of the in-form Melvine Malard to the substitutes was questioned.

Manchester City, in opposition, have no such loading worries. Andrée Jeglertz made one adjustment from the previous win over the Toffees with Hemp making her return to the lineup since healing from a physical setback.

Dominant First Half

The trouble started to accumulate for the United boss and his squad from the opening minute. This was a exhibition of the power from Manchester City whose potent attack played with and tore United open with a superb opening period performance that saw them put three past the keeper in 21 minutes.

This put the hosts firmly in control and saw the visitors struggling. Prior to this match, United had conceded just six in this domestic competition but they fell apart in the presence of City’s offensive ingenuity.

Opening Threats

The warning signs came quickly when Vivianne Miedema used her physicality to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot past the post. Hemp was at the center of everything from the start, taking advantage of the space left by Jayde Riviere down United’s right flank. Her crosses were causing problems and led to an opportunity for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg kicked off the line.

United had multiple attacks forwards, their direct style giving them options in the wide areas but they could not challenge Ayaka Yamashita. City, in the meantime, controlled the ball, taunting their opponents and trying to draw them out of their structure.

Triple Strike

They made their pressure count with almost the first period played when Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A ball to the back post was headed across goal by Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to nod home. It was City’s 7th header of the season.

They extended their lead with an additional two goals just before the half-time. When Rose was able to advance through the midfield from defense, the field became spacious for the hosts. The influential Kerstin Casparij picked the ball up on the right before sending a precise ground pass for Shaw to force home. A short time later, they had a third goal after a quick turnover in possession saw Hemp allowed the space to strike a shot home from range.

After the Break

The clearest substitution came from Skinner at the half-time as Malard was introduced for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was ineffective to change the course of the contest. Former City player Jess Park came closest, striking the woodwork, but the away team were creatively abject and did not manage to register a solitary shot on goal.

The hosts, in contrast, could have extended their lead when a superb Vivianne Miedema through ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it was insignificant to the winning team. After failing to beat any side who ended above them last season, City's side now have successes against Arsenal and United to position them in a favorable position after nine games.