Man City 3-0 The Red Devils: Lauren Hemp finds the net in City dominant win.
Similar to the recent storm hit the north-west the previous evening, City blew the visitors away at the their home ground. It was a statement three-nil victory for the City coach's side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a display that firmly established their title credentials as they strengthened their position at the top of the table.
Successive Losses for United
This scoreline marked consecutive league defeats for Skinner's side for the first time since May 2024, putting them seven points off the league leaders with their trophy ambitions severely dented.
United’s ability to juggle domestic and continental football with a limited roster has been a widely debated topic since they earned a place in the Champions League. Considering the calendar, it always felt like this was the matchday that would seriously challenge this capability. Unfortunately for the visitors, they looked tired throughout, the landmark win against PSG clearly having had an impact.
Team Changes
The United manager had sought to freshen things up with a a few adjustments. Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all provided vigor, although the dropping of the on-form Malard to the substitutes raised a few eyebrows.
Manchester City, in opposition, have no similar loading concerns. Andrée Jeglertz made one change from the previous win over Everton with Hemp making her first start since returning from a fitness issue.
Overpowering Start
The trouble started to accumulate for Skinner and his squad from the first whistle. This was a show of the strength from Manchester City whose potent forward line played with and dismantled the opposition with a excellent first half display that saw them net a trio in just over twenty minutes.
This left the home team in a commanding position and left United all at sea. Prior to this fixture, United had conceded just six in this WSL season but they disintegrated in the presence of Manchester City's creative prowess.
Early Chances
The early indicators came soon when Miedema used her power to bundle Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot off target. Lauren Hemp was at the center of everything from the start, exploiting the room left by Riviere down United’s right side. Her deliveries were causing problems and led to an attempt for Hasegawa that Sandberg scrambled off the line.
The Red Devils had several forays ahead, their direct style giving them alternatives in the flanks but they could not trouble Ayaka Yamashita. City, in the meantime, dominated the ball, probing their opposition and trying to draw them out of their organization.
Scoring Spree
They turned chances into goals with almost the first period played when Fujino won the hosts a corner. A delivery to the back post was directed across goal by Shaw for Knaak to nod home. It was City’s seventh header of the term.
They extended their lead with an additional two goals just before the interval. When Rose was allowed to drive through the midfield from central defence, the field opened up for City. The key Kerstin Casparij received possession on the right side before sending a accurate ground pass for Shaw to tap home. A short time later, they had a third goal after a rapid change in possession saw Lauren Hemp allowed the opportunity to fire a attempt home from range.
Final Period
The primary substitution came from the United manager at the break as Melvine Malard came on for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was futile to shift the momentum of the contest. Ex- Manchester City player Jess Park came closest, hitting the post, but the visitors were offensively poor and did not manage to record a solitary shot on goal.
The home side, in contrast, could have extended their cushion when a delightful Miedema long ball sent Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it was insignificant to the winning team. Previously unable to beat any team who ended above them last season, Jeglertz’s side now have victories against the Gunners and Manchester United to position them in a favorable standing after the opening fixtures.
