Manchester City delivered a dominant performance at the Etihad, sweeping Manchester United aside 3–0 in a derby that reinforced their status as major WSL title contenders.
Goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp sealed a statement win for Andrée Jeglertz’s side, who now sit four points clear at the top. City’s explosive first-half display, with all three goals coming in a 21-minute spell, overwhelmed a fatigued United team still recovering from their historic midweek victory over PSG.
Marc Skinner’s side have now suffered back-to-back league defeats for the first time since May 2024, dropping seven points behind the leaders. Despite insisting United are still in the title race, Skinner admitted reinforcements are needed in the January window.
City, buoyed by Hemp’s first start since injury, controlled the match from the outset. They dismantled what had been the league’s second-best defence, exploiting space down the flanks and pinning United back with relentless pressure. Knaak opened the scoring from a Shaw header across goal, before Shaw bundled in a second from a pinpoint Kerstin Casparij cross. Hemp then drove home a third from distance after a turnover in possession.
United struggled to respond. Despite some early forward moments, they failed to register a single shot on target. Substitute Melvine Malard and former City player Jess Park tried to spark a comeback, with Park hitting the post, but the visitors never threatened to change the outcome.
City could have added more, with Shaw missing a late chance from a superb Vivianne Miedema long ball, yet the result was already decisive. With wins over both Arsenal and United this season, Manchester City are firmly establishing themselves as the team to beat in the WSL title race.
