Manchester City Three-Nil Man United: Hemp on target in Manchester City stroll.

Just as Storm Claudia hit the northwest the previous evening, Manchester City blew Manchester United away at the their home ground. It was a emphatic three-nil win for the City coach's side thanks to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a performance that firmly established their title credentials as they strengthened their standing at the top of the table.

Successive Losses for United

This result signalled successive WSL losses for Marc Skinner’s side for the maiden instance since last May, placing them a significant margin off the table toppers with their championship aspirations severely dented.

The Red Devils' capacity to manage domestic and European soccer with a thin team has been a hotly discussed issue since they earned a place in the European competition. Looking at the calendar, it always felt like this was the matchday that would fully examine this capability. Unfortunately for the opposition, they looked tired all game, the historic win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having left its mark.

Team Changes

Skinner had tried to freshen things up with a handful of changes. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Leah Galton all provided vigor, although the dropping of the on-form Malard to the substitutes caused surprise.

The hosts, in opposition, have fewer fitness issues. Andrée Jeglertz made one change from last week’s win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her first start since recovering from a physical setback.

Overpowering Start

The trouble started to accumulate for Skinner and his squad from the first whistle. This was a demonstration of the strength from Manchester City whose dynamic offense played with and dismantled the opposition with a sublime initial 45 minutes showing that saw them score three goals in under half an hour.

This left the home team in a commanding position and left United disorganized. Prior to this encounter, United had allowed just a handful in this domestic competition but they collapsed in the face of Manchester City's attacking flair.

Early Chances

The omens came quickly when Vivianne Miedema used her strength to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot off target. Lauren Hemp was at the core of everything early on, taking advantage of the room left by Riviere down United’s right flank. Her deliveries were posing a threat and led to an opportunity for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg cleared off the line.

United had several attacks forward, their direct style giving them options in the wings but they could not challenge the City goalkeeper. City, meanwhile, dominated the ball, teasing their rivals and trying to draw them out of their defensive shape.

Goals Galore

They turned chances into goals with almost half an hour played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A cross to the back post was directed across goal by Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to nod home. It was Manchester City's seventh header of the term.

They extended their advantage with another pair of goals just before the break. When Rose was allowed to advance through the middle from the back, the field opened up for City. The prominent Kerstin Casparij received possession on the right side before delivering a accurate ground pass for Shaw to tap home. A short time later, they had a third goal after a swift change in possession saw Hemp afforded the opportunity to drive a attempt home from range.

Second Half

The most obvious change came from Skinner at the interval as Melvine Malard came on for Terland but by this time it was ineffective to alter the outcome of the match. Former City player Jess Park came closest, striking the upright, but the visitors were offensively poor and were unable to record a one shot on goal.

The home side, meanwhile, could have increased their cushion when a delightful Miedema through ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it did not affect the result to the hosts. Having failed to defeat any side who placed above them in the prior term, City's side now have successes against the Gunners and United to put them in a strong position after nine matches.