Manchester City painted the town blue on Saturday with a comfortable win over Manchester United, securing their position at the top of the WSL table.

Two first-half goals from Jess Park set the tone for City, who looked strong enough to dictate the outcome of the game throughout. United’s defence faltered under the strength of City’s attack, making it an easy pickings for the hosts’ front three.

City cruised to the top of the WSL table, applying more pressure for chasers Chelsea ahead of their clash with West Ham on Sunday.

United looked to be dictating play during the opening minutes of the game. Despite being yet to beat a team in the WSL’s top three so far this season, they looked organised, confident on the ball and had a clear gameplan to threaten City in wide areas.

The skill and strength of Geyse set Nikita Parris up well for a powerful shot inside the box. However, a stunning save from goalkeeper Khiara Keating prevented the Red Devils from earning a mark on the score sheet – an event that seemed to alter the rest of their game.

Hannah Blundell seemed set for a double booking after first conducting a high tackle on Mary Fowler, and then just moments later impeding Khadija Shaw. Referee Abigal Byrne gave her the benefit of the doubt for the latter offence, allowing Blundell to stay on the pitch.

Then, life-long City fan Park changed the direction of the game, earning two quick-fire goals in the before half-time – the first being her debut goal for City in a WSL fixture.

Just 30 seconds after the half-time restart, Shaw bagged a third for City, earning her 68th goal for the club and making her their all-time leading goalscorer.

Two changes were made for United, with Parris swapped for Rachel Williams and Jayde Riviere brought off for Aoife Mannion. When the 78th minute rolled around, the Red Devils were finally able to secure their first goal of the game, albeit in the form of an own goal from Kerstin Casparij.

One goal was just not enough though as City continued to cruise to a Manchester derby victory.

GK: Khiara Keating – 8/10 – A shame not to earn a clean sheet, but ultimately a strong player in the City squad.

RB: Kerstin Casparij – 4/10 – Was okay in the first half, but loses points after her deflection gave United a goal.

CB: Alanna Kennedy – 6/10 – A late change after Laia Aleixandri picked up an injury in the warm-up, had some useful aerial contributions.

CB: Alex Greenwood – 6/10 – Picked up yet another head injury here but was able to return to her feet.

LB: Leila Ouahabi – 7/10 – Very good, stayed tight to defenders when needed and provided a great assist for City’s first goal.

CM: Jess Park – 10/10 – Sensational. Composed, professional, deserving.

CM: Yui Hasegawa – 8/10 – Managed to get everywhere on the pitch and rarely lost the ball, strong.

CM: Laura Coombs – 4/10 – Relatively silent and didn’t provide much.

RW: Mary Fowler – 5/10 – Would’ve been better down the middle rather than on the right, but good effort.

CF: Khadija Shaw – 8/10 – Excellent, always a standout figure in this team.

LW: Lauren Hemp – 8/10 – Really can do it all, vital for this team.

SUB: Filippa Angeldal (83′ for Laura Coombs) – N/A

SUB: Esme Morgan (87′ for Leila Ouahabi) – N/A

Subs not used: Sandy MacIver (GK) Chloe Kelly, Demi Stokes, Laura Blindkilde, Poppy Pritchard, Ruby Mace, Stephanie Houghton

Gareth Taylor – 7/10 – Didn’t make use of subs until the final 10 minutes of the game, but dealt with United well.

GK: Mary Earps: 4/10 – Wasn’t able to keep out City’s attacks, a poor effort between the sticks.

RB: Jayde Riviere: 6/10 – Picked up an injury which took her off just before the hour mark.

CB: Maya Le Tissier: 3/10 – Terrible defending made it easy for City to reach United’s final third and score.

CB: Millie Turner: 5/10 – No standout moments, though got caught flat-footed for the third goal.

LB: Hannah Blundell: 2/10 – Shockingly poor today. Was seconds from being hauled off the pitch for a second bookable offence.

DM: Lisa Naalsund: 5/10 – Tried hard high up the pitch but that was all.

DM: Katie Zelem: 5/10 – Not fantastic today, looked terrible at times in the middle.

RW: Lucia Garcia: 6/10 – Picked up some pace in the second half but had nothing to show for it.

AM: Ella Toone: 4/10 – Didn’t make much noise, was no threat for City’s defence.

LW: Geyse: 7/10 – Good effort, worked hard to create chances but had no one to finish them.

ST: Nikita Parris: 7/10 – Played well and had good chances, needed more support up front.

SUB: Aoife Mannion (57′ for Jayde Riviere) – 6/10

SUB: Rachel Williams (58′ for Nikita Parris) – 6/10

SUB: Melvine Mallard (85′ for Ella Toone) – N/A

Subs not used: Phallon Tullis-Joyce, Alyssa Aherne, Evie Rabjohn, Gemma Evans, Hayley Ladd, Irene

Marc Skinner – 3/10 – Knew City’s attack high up the pitch would be fierce yet did nothing to combat it.