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Just as the recent storm hit the northern region the previous evening, City blew the visitors away at the Etihad Stadium. It was a statement three goal win for their manager's side due to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a result that clearly signaled their title credentials as they reinforced their position at the league summit.

Consecutive Losses for Manchester United

This result represented successive WSL setbacks for Skinner's side for the initial occasion since last May, putting them seven points off the table toppers with their championship aspirations in serious doubt.

The Red Devils' capacity to manage domestic and European soccer with a limited squad has been a widely debated issue since they earned a place in the European competition. Considering the fixture list, it always appeared this was the week that would truly test this ability. Sadly for the away side, they appeared tired all game, the memorable win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having had an impact.

Tactical Shifts

Marc Skinner had sought to make changes with a handful of changes. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Leah Galton all added vigor, although the dropping of the in-form Melvine Malard to the bench caused surprise.

Manchester City, in comparison, have no similar loading issues. The City coach made one adjustment from the previous win over Everton with Hemp making her return to the lineup since returning from a fitness issue.

Dominant First Half

The storm clouds started to accumulate for Skinner and his team from the first whistle. This was a exhibition of the quality from Manchester City whose energetic attack played with and dismantled the opposition with a superb first half showing that saw them score three goals in just over twenty minutes.

This left the home team firmly in control and saw the visitors all at sea. Prior to this encounter, the away side had let in just six in this domestic competition but they collapsed in the presence of City’s offensive ingenuity.

Opening Threats

The omens came soon when Vivianne Miedema used her physicality to push Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot off target. Hemp was at the heart of everything early on, exploiting the space left by Jayde Riviere down United’s wing. Her passes were creating danger and led to an opportunity for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg scrambled off the line.

United had multiple attacks forwards, their direct style giving them choices in the wide areas but they could not test the City goalkeeper. City, meanwhile, commanded possession, probing their rivals and trying to lure them of their defensive shape.

Goals Galore

They converted their dominance with almost the first period played when Aoba Fujino won the hosts a set-piece. A delivery to the far post was directed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Knaak to head in. It was Manchester City's seventh goal from a cross of the season.

They increased their cushion with another pair of goals just before the half-time. When Jade Rose was able to drive through the midfield from the back, the pitch widened for City. The key Casparij collected the pass on the wing before sending a precise low cross for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. A short time later, they had a third goal after a quick change in the ball saw Lauren Hemp allowed the opportunity to fire a effort home from outside the box.

Final Period

The most obvious adjustment came from the United manager at the interval as Melvine Malard entered for Terland but by this time it was futile to change the course of the contest. Ex- Manchester City player Jess Park came most likely to score, rattling the woodwork, but the away team were creatively abject and failed to register a single shot on goal.

The home side, in contrast, could have increased their cushion when a delightful Miedema pass sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it did not affect the result to the hosts. Having failed to defeat any side who placed above them last season, Jeglertz’s side now have victories against Arsenal and Manchester United to put them in a commanding situation after nine matches.