Maya Le Tissier scores for Manchester UnitedGetty Images
Emma Smith
BBC Sport journalist
Manchester United earned a second successive Women's Super League game by a four-goal margin as they condemned newly promoted London City Lionesses to another heavy defeat.
Lionesses' first ever home game in the English top flight got off to the worst possible start as they conceded a penalty inside two minutes, with United captain Maya Le Tissier slamming home after Jana Fernandez fouled Melvine Malard.
The hosts responded well and threatened through set-pieces, with away keeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce forced into saves including a particularly good close-range stop from Alanna Kennedy.
But United doubled their lead before half-time when full-back Jayde Riviere smashed past home stopper Elene Lete from a tight angle.
And the win was sealed within five minutes of the restart through a double by Malard, who has now scored four goals in two league games.
First, Jess Park fed the French striker who - despite apparently being narrowly offside - struck first time past Lete. Shortly after, she headed in from close range following Celin Bizet's cross.
Lionesses scored a consolation as Nikita Parris netted from close range against her former side, but Park sealed a great win for United by claiming her first goal for the club via a long-range curler that left Lete stranded.
United, who beat Leicester 4-0 on the opening day, are top of the WSL on goal difference, while Lionesses are bottom.
London City Lionesses analysis: Another bruising WSL welcome
Currently, the most striking feature of Lionesses' Hayes Lane home - which they share with men's League Two side Bromley - is that the stand behind the dugouts is a building site as the stadium undergoes extensive renovations. It is an apt reflection of Lionesses at present - a work in progress.
Owner Michele Kang, one of the 3,000 spectators in a sell-out home crowd, said in her exclusive interview with BBC Sport this week that she has aspirations for the club to "be at the top of the game".
But two tough matches against sides that finished in the WSL top three last season - this loss follows a 4-1 defeat at Arsenal last weekend - show just how far her team have to go.
They had a succession of chances between the first and second United goals, but were unable to make them count. Against the best WSL sides, you will be punished.
Lionesses were overpowered in midfield by United as a change of formation did not pay off for manager Jocelyn Precheur, and were ultimately well beaten by their clinical opponents.
There is plenty of hope for the future, with record signing Grace Geyoro making her debut as a second-half substitute, but Lionesses ended up conceding five against United - just as they did in their last meeting, a Women's Championship defeat in April 2019.
Manchester United analysis: Comfortable win before big European date
This game fell between the two legs of United's Champions League qualifier against Brann, and Marc Skinner's side may have had half an eye on Thursday, when they will aim to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg in Norway.
That may have been reflected in an XI bearing three changes, including striker Elisabeth Terland starting on the bench.
But there was still plenty of strength in the side, including a first WSL start for summer signing Jess Park, and focus as they did a professional job in south London.
Skinner, in his fifth season in charge of United, knows only perfection will do if his side are to make a fist of a potential title race with Chelsea.
And they are still perfect for now, after seeing off the Lionesses' pressure before two goals early in the second half provided the comfort they craved.
The only major downside for United was seeing defender Millie Turner stretchered off in the second half following a heavy collision.
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10 Pure perfection
London City Lionesses
Manchester United
Starting XI
77Elene Lete
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25R. Imuran
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8S. Kumagai
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33A. Kennedy
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2Jana Fernández
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16J. Roddar
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21K. Zelem
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17N. Parris
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9K. Asllani
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7Lucía Corrales
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23I. Goodwin
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15S. Franssi
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88G. Geyoro
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19L. Lindström
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6María Pérez
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26W. Sangaré
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Starting XI
91P. Tullis-Joyce
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2A. Sandberg
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21M. Turner
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4M. Le Tissier
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14J. Riviere
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20H. Miyazawa
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18J. Zigiotti Olme
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15C. Bizet
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7E. Toone
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8J. Park
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9M. Malard
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16L. Naalsund
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3G. George
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17D. Janssen
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12F. Rolfö
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10E. Terland
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