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Much like Storm Claudia hit the northern region the night before, the home side blew the visitors aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a statement 3-0 triumph for the City coach's side owing to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a performance that truly announced their title credentials as they consolidated their standing at the WSL pinnacle.

Successive Defeats for Manchester United

This result marked successive WSL defeats for Marc Skinner’s side for the first time since last May, leaving them seven points off the table toppers with their championship aspirations hanging by a thread.

United’s capacity to manage league and European football with a small roster has been a widely debated subject since they qualified for the European competition. Looking at the schedule, it always seemed this was the week that would truly test this capability. Unfortunately for the visitors, they appeared tired all game, the memorable win against PSG clearly having left its mark.

Lineup Adjustments

The United manager had tried to make changes with a a few alterations. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all brought energy, although the exclusion of the on-form Melvine Malard to the sidelines raised a few eyebrows.

Manchester City, in opposition, have no such fitness issues. Jeglertz made a single alteration from last week’s win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her return to the lineup since healing from a physical setback.

Commanding Opening Period

The trouble started to gather for the United boss and his squad from the kickoff. This was a show of the quality from City whose energetic attack manipulated and tore United open with a sublime initial 45 minutes performance that saw them score three goals in just over twenty minutes.

This put the hosts completely dominant and had Manchester United struggling. Before this encounter, the away side had allowed just a handful in this WSL season but they disintegrated in the wake of City’s creative prowess.

Early Chances

The warning signs came quickly when Vivianne Miedema used her strength to bundle Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot past the post. Lauren Hemp was at the heart of everything from the start, using the gap left by Jayde Riviere down United’s right flank. Her deliveries were causing problems and led to an chance for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg kicked off the line.

The Red Devils had a number of sorties forward, their long-ball tactic giving them alternatives in the wide areas but they could not challenge Ayaka Yamashita. City, on the other hand, controlled possession, taunting their opponents and trying to draw them out of their organization.

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 back post was nodded across goal by Shaw for Knaak to nod home. It was Manchester City's 7th goal from a cross of the campaign.

They increased their lead with two more goals just before the half-time. When Rose was able to drive through the middle from central defence, the field widened for City. The key Casparij collected the pass on the right side before providing a precise driven ball for Shaw to tap home. Shortly later, they had a third goal after a quick shift in the ball saw Lauren Hemp given the space to fire a attempt home from outside the box.

Final Period

The most obvious adjustment came from Skinner at the half-time as 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 closest, rattling the woodwork, but the visitors were creatively abject and failed to produce a solitary shot on goal.

The home side, meanwhile, could have extended their lead when a excellent Miedema long ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it did not affect the result to the winning team. Having failed to overcome any team who ended above them last season, City's side now have victories against the Gunners and Manchester United to position them in a strong standing after nine matches.