🔗 Share this article Man City Three-Nil Manchester United: Hemp scores in City stroll. Much like the recent storm swept through the north-west the night before, the home side blew the visitors away at the Etihad Stadium. It was a emphatic three-nil victory for Andrée Jeglertz’s side owing to goals from Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a result that clearly signaled their leadership claims as they strengthened their position at the league summit. Consecutive Losses for United This scoreline represented back-to-back WSL losses for Skinner's side for the initial occasion since last May, placing them a sizable gap off the table toppers with their trophy ambitions in serious doubt. United’s capability to balance domestic and continental football with a limited roster has been a widely debated issue since they secured entry to the Champions League. Looking at the calendar, it always seemed this was the matchday that would truly test this fortitude. Regrettably for the away side, they seemed fatigued all game, the historic win against the French side clearly having had an impact. Tactical Shifts Marc Skinner had attempted to freshen things up with a a few changes. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Leah Galton all brought freshness, although the dropping of the on-form Melvine Malard to the substitutes was questioned. The hosts, in opposition, have no such workload concerns. The City coach made a single alteration from their most recent win over the Toffees with Hemp making her return to the lineup since returning from a physical setback. Commanding Opening Period The pressure started to gather for Skinner and his team from the first whistle. This was a demonstration of the strength from City whose dynamic offense manipulated and tore United open with a superb opening period display that saw them score three goals in just over twenty minutes. This put the hosts in a commanding position and left United disorganized. In advance of this match, the away side had allowed just six in this domestic competition but they fell apart in the presence of Manchester City's offensive ingenuity. Opening Threats The warning signs came soon when Vivianne Miedema used her strength to bundle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot past the post. Hemp was at the center of everything from the start, exploiting the room left by Riviere down the visitors' right flank. Her passes were causing problems and led to an opportunity for Hasegawa that Sandberg scrambled off the line. The Red Devils had several forays forward, their direct style giving them options in the wings but they could not trouble Ayaka Yamashita. Manchester City, on the other hand, dominated possession, probing their opposition and trying to pull them out of their structure. Goals Galore They turned chances into goals with almost the first period played when Aoba Fujino won the hosts a set-piece. A cross to the far post was headed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Knaak to nod home. It was Manchester City's seventh headed goal of the season. They added to their lead with another pair of goals just before the interval. When Jade Rose was permitted to drive through the middle from the back, the pitch opened up for the hosts. The prominent Kerstin Casparij picked the ball up on the wing before delivering a accurate low cross for Shaw to bundle home. A short time later, they had a third goal after a quick turnover in possession saw Lauren Hemp afforded the opportunity to fire a shot home from range. Final Period The most obvious adjustment came from Skinner at the break as Melvine Malard came on for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was too late to alter the outcome of the match. Former City player Jess Park came most likely to score, striking the upright, but the visitors were lacking in ideas and failed to produce a one shot on target. The hosts, in contrast, could have added to their cushion when a superb Vivianne Miedema pass sent Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it did not affect the result to the winning team. Having failed to defeat any opponent who finished above them last season, the manager's side now have wins against Arsenal and United to position them in a strong position after the opening fixtures.