Lauren Hemp scored on her first start since September as Women’s Super League leaders Manchester City brushed aside rivals Manchester United at Etihad Stadium.
It was a complete performance from Andree Jeglertz’s side, who were three goals to the good by half-time with United failing to record a shot on target.
The pick of the bunch was Hemp’s powerful strike which made it 3-0, two minutes after Khadija Shaw slid in to divert Kerstin Casparij’s cross into the back of the net.
City defender Rebecca Knaak had opened the scoring in the 26th minute, nodding Shaw’s header back across goal from Hemp’s corner.
Hemp, who picked up an ankle injury on 19 September, was back to her brilliant best with a display that will please England manager Sarina Wiegman going into upcoming international friendlies against China and Ghana.
Victory extends City’s lead at the top of the table to four points, but Chelsea can close the gap when they travel to struggling Liverpool on Sunday (12:00 GMT).
“It’s fantastic to be top of the league, there is no doubt about that,” said Jeglertz.
“It will give the team confidence that we are doing a lot of good things but at the same time it’s a long league so, if we can’t keep it until May, it doesn’t mean anything.”
A tired-looking Manchester United have fallen seven points off the pace, which will come as a blow following their impressive win over Paris St-Germain in Europe this week.
Marc Skinner’s side do not have long to lick their wounds, with European giants Wolfsburg up next, and they will have to improve if they are to bounce back.
Manchester City analysis: WSL leaders show their pedigree
City have enjoyed life under new manager Jeglertz and were sat cosy at the top of the WSL table before kick-off, knowing a win at the Etihad would boost their position.
With new-found fluidity in the side and a welcome return to the starting XI for England winger Hemp – who played 40 minutes from the bench against Everton – City were favourites.
They did not waste any time in confirming their status as the WSL’s team to beat as Hemp announced her return with a sparkling display, causing United problems throughout.
Vivianne Miedema linked up superbly with Shaw in the early stages and Laura Blindkilde Brown outshone her United counterpart Jess Park – the former City midfielder returning to the Etihad for the first time since joining their rivals in the summer.
It was another brilliant display from full-back Casparij, whose fizzing cross set up Shaw’s goal to make it 2-0, before she teed up Hemp’s thunderous strike on the stroke of half-time.
Defender Knaak had expertly nodded in the opener when Shaw picked her out with a header across goal early on, capitalising on City’s instant dominance.
With a strong 3-0 lead, City were able to take their foot off the gas in the second half, conserving energy for what they hope will be a lengthy reign at the top of the table this season.
They have fallen short on too many occasions during Chelsea’s domestic dominance of late, but City have shown they have what it takes to win the WSL if they can maintain their high performances.
