Manchester City delivered a dominant performance at the Etihad Stadium, sweeping Manchester United aside 3-0 in a one-sided derby that strengthened their position at the top of the Women’s Super League.
Goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp sealed a statement win for Andrée Jeglertz’s team, who now sit four points clear at the summit and continue to underline their title credentials. City’s explosive first-half display—scoring all three goals within 21 minutes—tore apart a United defence that had conceded only six league goals all season.
United, meanwhile, slumped to back-to-back WSL defeats for the first time since May 2024. Fatigue from their historic Champions League victory over PSG appeared evident, and manager Marc Skinner admitted his side needed reinforcements, saying: “We gave City those goals… What we need to do is use the winter window to recruit.”
City were sharp and confident, with Hemp—making her first start since returning from injury—causing constant problems down the left. Shaw set up the opener for Knaak from a corner, then finished off a low cross from Kerstin Casparij for 2-0. Hemp’s powerful long-range strike made it three before the break.
United never recovered, creating little and failing to record a single shot on target. Jess Park hit the post after coming off the bench, but City remained in full control and could have added more through Shaw late on.
With wins already over Arsenal and now United, City’s strong start positions them firmly as early title favourites after nine matches.
