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Similar to the recent storm hit the north-west the previous evening, City swept United aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a statement three-nil victory for Andrée Jeglertz’s side due to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a display that firmly established their title credentials as they consolidated their standing at the league summit.

Back-to-Back Setbacks for United

This outcome signalled consecutive WSL losses for the United manager's side for the first time since last May, placing them a significant margin off the league leaders with their title hopes severely dented.

Manchester United's capability to balance domestic and European football with a thin team has been a hotly discussed subject since they earned a place in the Champions League. Reviewing the calendar, it always seemed this was the matchday that would seriously challenge this fortitude. Unfortunately for the opposition, they appeared tired throughout, the memorable win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having left its mark.

Team Changes

Skinner had sought to make changes with a several changes. Ella Toone, Terland, Janssen and Galton all provided vigor, although the dropping of the in-form Melvine Malard to the bench raised a few eyebrows.

City, in comparison, have fewer loading worries. Jeglertz made one change from last week’s win over the Toffees with Hemp making her initial starting appearance since healing from a fitness issue.

Commanding Opening Period

The pressure started to accumulate for Skinner and his team from the kickoff. This was a exhibition of the power from City whose energetic offense played with and dismantled the opposition with a superb opening period showing that saw them score three goals in just over twenty minutes.

This left the home team firmly in control and had Manchester United struggling. Prior to this encounter, the away side had conceded just six in this WSL season but they collapsed in the wake of the hosts' attacking flair.

Initial Opportunities

The early indicators came quickly when Miedema used her physicality to bundle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot wide. Hemp was at the heart of everything early on, using the room left by Jayde Riviere down United’s right flank. Her crosses were posing a threat and led to an chance for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg cleared off the line.

United had several forays ahead, their long-ball tactic giving them options in the wide areas but they could not test Yamashita. City, in the meantime, dominated possession, probing their opponents and trying to lure them of their defensive shape.

Scoring Spree

They made their pressure count with almost thirty minutes played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A ball to the far post was nodded across goal by Shaw for Knaak to score. It was Manchester City's 7th goal from a cross of the season.

They added to their cushion with two more goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was allowed to advance through the middle from the back, the field opened up for City. The prominent Kerstin Casparij picked the ball up on the right side before delivering a pinpoint driven ball for Shaw to force home. Four minutes later, they had a third after a quick change in the ball saw Lauren Hemp allowed the space to strike a attempt home from range.

Final Period

The most obvious adjustment came from Skinner at the half-time as Melvine Malard entered for Terland but by this time it was futile to alter the outcome of the match. Former Manchester City player Jess Park came nearest, rattling the upright, but the away team were lacking in ideas and failed to produce a single shot on target.

The home side, in contrast, could have extended their lead when a superb Miedema long ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it mattered little to the hosts. Having failed to beat any team who finished above them last season, the manager's side now have victories against Arsenal and Manchester United to place them in a commanding standing after nine games.