The Citizens Three Goals to Nil The Red Devils: Hemp scores in Manchester City stroll.

Much like bad weather hit the northwest the previous evening, Manchester City blew Manchester United aside at the their home ground. It was a convincing 3-0 victory for the City coach's side due to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a performance that firmly established their title credentials as they strengthened their place at the top of the table.

Consecutive Losses for Manchester United

This outcome marked back-to-back league losses for the United manager's side for the maiden instance since last May, putting them seven points off the top team with their championship aspirations hanging by a thread.

The Red Devils' capacity to balance league and continental soccer with a thin squad has been a frequently analyzed issue since they qualified for the European competition. Reviewing the schedule, it always appeared this was the period that would truly test this ability. Unfortunately for the opposition, they looked fatigued throughout, the memorable win against the French side clearly having taken a toll.

Team Changes

The United manager had sought to freshen things up with a handful of changes. Ella Toone, Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all provided freshness, although the exclusion of the on-form Melvine Malard to the sidelines was questioned.

City, in comparison, have fewer workload worries. The City coach made one change from their most recent win over Everton with Hemp making her first start since healing from a physical setback.

Overpowering Start

The pressure started to accumulate for the United boss and his team from the kickoff. This was a demonstration of the quality from City whose dynamic attack manipulated and pulled the visitors apart with a superb initial 45 minutes performance that saw them score three goals in under half an hour.

This put the hosts in a commanding position and left United all at sea. In advance of this match, United had conceded just few in this domestic competition but they collapsed in the presence of the hosts' attacking flair.

Opening Threats

The omens came soon when Miedema used her physicality to muscle Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot past the post. Lauren Hemp was at the core of everything early on, taking advantage of the space left by Riviere down United’s right side. Her passes were causing problems and led to an chance for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg kicked off the line.

The Red Devils had several attacks ahead, their long-ball tactic giving them choices in the wings but they could not test Ayaka Yamashita. Manchester City, on the other hand, dominated possession, taunting their opposition and trying to pull them out of their defensive shape.

Scoring Spree

They converted their dominance with almost the first period played when Aoba Fujino won the hosts a corner. A cross to the back post was nodded across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to score. It was City’s 7th goal from a cross of the term.

They extended their cushion with an additional two goals just before the half-time. When Jade Rose was permitted to advance through the middle from the back, the field opened up for the hosts. The prominent Kerstin Casparij picked the ball up on the right side before delivering a pinpoint low cross for Bunny Shaw to tap home. A short time later, they had a third after a swift turnover in possession saw Lauren Hemp afforded the opportunity to fire a attempt home from range.

Second Half

The most obvious adjustment came from the United manager at the break as Malard was introduced for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was ineffective to change the course of the contest. Ex- Manchester City player Jess Park came closest, striking the upright, but the visitors were offensively poor and did not manage to record a solitary shot on goal.

The home side, meanwhile, could have extended their lead when a superb Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it did not affect the result to the winning team. Previously unable to beat any side who finished above them last season, the manager's side now have victories against the Gunners and Manchester United to place them in a strong standing after the opening fixtures.