With Khadija Shaw and Vivianne Miedema forming a strong partnership this season, City have been doing well without Hemp.
But the return of their England star was a welcome boost for manager Andree Jeglertz, who knows he will need to rotate throughout the campaign to maintain their advantage.
From the first minute against United Hemp was on the attack, driving at full-back Jayde Riviere and putting teasing crosses into the box for Shaw to nibble at.
Eventually, her corner delivery helped set-up Rebecca Knaak’s opener, before Hemp added City’s third, following Shaw’s decisive touch that made it 2-0.
“Lauren is a great player and I’m so happy for her coming in and putting in this performance. We have a great squad and so many good players,” said Jeglertz.
“Lauren is giving us something different and that’s good for us. Every time she has the ball she has a great left foot, which everyone knows of course, but it’s the ability to always engage with the full-back.
“She’s always thinking: ‘Can I play forward? Can I play another cross? Should I challenge one-v-one?’ She gives us all of that.
“In this game, there was more of a challenge on her to defend because Jayde Riviere is a great full-back. She struggled for a few minutes to find the right position but then for the rest of the game, it was awesome.”
