Shaw goal, assist help City maintain WSL lead

A DEVASTATING first-half performance from Manchester City saw them beat Manchester United 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium and extend the team’s Women’s Super League winning run to eight matches.

The Blues took a three-goal lead at the break against a side that were yet to lose on the road this season, beginning with a Rebecca Knaak header and Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw’s sliding effort.

However, the pick of the bunch was the third, when Lauren Hemp launched an exquisite, vicious drive into the top corner on her return to the starting line-up.

City, the WSL’s leading scorers, were looking for an eighth win in a row against a United side unbeaten on the road and with the league’s strongest defensive record.

Vivianne Miedema and Yui Hasegawa had both gone close early on, but the hosts’ strong start was rewarded with the game’s opener midway through the first half when Knaak rose highest to head home Shaw’s knockback from a corner.

It was the German’s third headed goal in three derby appearances, and after absorbing a spell of United pressure, number two would follow with half-time approaching.

Jade Rose found Kerstin Casparij down the right flank and the Dutch international’s inch-perfect ball was poked home by Shaw, who’d stolen in just ahead of goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel.

But in a half of superlatives for City, number three was the pick of the bunch, with Hemp rifling an unstoppable drive into the top corner of the net just four minutes later.

United came out fighting after the break with the in-form Melvine Malard coming off the bench, but the hosts continued to hold firm heading into the final 20 minutes, as the returning Jess Park fired against the outside of the post.

The closest City went to a fourth came with 10 minutes to play, when Miedema played Shaw in behind with an outstanding pass, but the Jamaican was denied by Middleton-Patel when cutting back onto her right foot.

United continued to push for a consolation, but the closest they came saw Rose bravely getting in front of Canada teammate Simi Awujo to head off the line.

- mancity.com